Maoists want cases dropped

KATHMANDU, Nov 6 - The Maoists have sought the judiciary's commitment that it will not proceed with cases filed during conflict time against its cadres as a precondition for releasing two court staffers of Rukum district.
President of Maoist-affiliated government employees' organization, Rukma Lamichhane, communicated the intention behind the abduction of Sashi Ram Bista and Khadga Bahadur Khadka, employees of Rukum District Court, to the Supreme Court administration and representative of apex court employees' organization on Tuesday.
"They sought the judiciary's commitment that it would not go ahead with cases against their cadres in return for the release of Bista and Khadka," Hemanta Rawal, co-spokesperson of the Supreme Court, told the Post.
Lamichhane met Rawal at the apex court to convey the Maoist condition for the release of abducted court employees Tuesday afternoon. Bista and Khadka were abducted in the weekend while they were on duty to serve a court subpoena in a murder case involving what Maoists called a "martyr family".
Similarly, Lamichhane also conveyed a similar message to Binod Adhikari, chairman of Nepal Judiciary Employees Concern Committee, in a telephonic conversation Tuesday when I questioned the abduction.
"If they want to get their cases withdrawn why don't they send Prachanda to meet the Chief Justice and continue to make helpless court employees suffer through abduction," Adhikari said.
A few hours after the Maoists revealed their intention, they released Bista and Khadka in Rukum district on the same condition that Lamichhane conveyed to the apex court in Kathmandu.
"They have been released this evening on the condition that initiatives will be taken at the center to withdraw cases against Maoist cadres, and that the court would not proceed with cases till the center decides on them," Ravi Raj Kafle, chief district officer of Rukum told the Post over phone from Rukum.
In Kathmandu, Lamichhane said he met the official of the Supreme Court administration to try to understand the root cause behind the abduction instead of disseminating news of the abduction unilaterally.
"The court sent them (the abducted staffs) with bad intention, violating the commitment in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement," Lamichhane said.
In the meantime, Nepal Judiciary Employees' Concern Committee in Kathmandu District Court did not work for two hours Wednesday to protest the abduction.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, November 6, 2007

Maoists to pressure govt on republic, poll system

KATHMANDU, Nov 6 - The CPN-Maoist has announced new programs to pressure the government to implement parliamentary directives on republic and proportional electoral system. An informal central committee meeting of the party, held at its central office at Budhanagar Tuesday, decided to initiate interactions with various ethnic groups, besides calling a mass meeting in Kathmandu on November 18 in this connection.
"We will talk to various political parties for an immediate meeting of the seven political parties," Maoist central leader Barsa Man Pun 'Ananta' said.
He said the Maoists would urge all political parties during the seven-party meeting to sincerely implement the parliamentary directives on republic and proportional electoral system.
"We will also initiate interaction with various ethnic groups, which are in favor of a republic and a proportional electoral system, to forge a strong voice in this regard," he said.
The Maoist central committee meeting also decided to launch nation-wide protests if the government fails to implement the parliamentary directives.
"The Nepali Congress must accept the majority verdict of parliament," said Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara. He also said the NC would face moral pressure against continuing in the government if it ignored parliament's verdict. "The situation will come to a point when we will have to think of an alternative to the Nepali Congress in the government if the NC fails to implement parliament's verdict," he said.
The meeting has decided to organize a mass meeting in Kathmandu on November 18 to pressure the government to implement parliament's directives.
Maoist leader Ananta said the Maoists have achieved a victory over their issues through parliament. "The Nepali Congress now has no option but to accept parliament's verdict," he said.
Focus on unity, poll: UML to Maoists
KATHMANDU, Nov 6 (PR) - The CPN-UML has suggested to the Maoists to focus on seven-party unity and holding CA polls at the earliest and not get distracted by other issues.
Talking to Maoist Chairman Prachanda and his deputy Babu Ram Bhattarai at his residence, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal urged the Maoist Chairman to focus on holding the constituent assembly (CA) polls at the earliest while keeping the seven-party alliance (SPA) intact, instead of raising other issues.
They (Maoists) raised the issue of fulfilling their 22-point demand (submitted to the government earlier) and the proposals passed by the interim parliament, but Nepal told the Maoist leaders that those issues could be discussed during the seven-party meeting, and urged them to focus on holding the CA poll. "Nepal emphasized CA polls at the earliest without creating any division within the SPA," said Raghuji Pant, UML leader.
Nepal told the Maoist leadership that even the proposals passed by the special session of the interim parliament need to be ratified by a two-third majority of the House.
"It is not possible without the consent of the Nepali Congress (NC)," Pant said, adding, "Therefore, unity among the seven parties is a must and that is also the spirit of the interim constitution."
Clarifying the UML stance over the latest political scenario, Pant further said, "We believe that neither the UML and the Maoists jointly nor the Nepali Congress acting alone can provide a way out of the current political stalemate." He also ruled out any change in the government leadership. "The party has not thought over the issue of changing the government leadership so far," Pant said, speaking at a program held in the capital on Tuesday.

Source: The Kathmandu Post, November 6, 2007

Maoists not likely to join govt: Vaidya

Kathmandu, Nov. 6: Senior leader of the CPN-Maoist Mohan Vaidya 'Kiran' has claimed that the leftist force has to lead the seven party alliance and move ahead accordingly in order to end the present political deadlock. Talking to The Rising Nepal, Maoist leader Vaidya said that the special session of interim parliament has brought the leftist forces closer and mounted moral pressure on the leadership of the present government. ?The special session of parliament has passed the motions on republic and proportionate representation system for the constituent assembly," he said adding that the onus now lies on the government to sincerely implement the decision of the House. He warned that the government would eventually collapse if it ignored the sentiment of the House and failed to implement the instructions on these vital national issues. The endorsement of the motions for declaring republic and adopting fully proportional electoral system is against the authoritarian tendency of the Nepali Congress and it clearly calls for genuine democratic practice in the functioning of the government, he said. ?The decision is of vital importance as it has underscored the urgency of institutionalising the republican setup and fully proportional election system by amending the interim constitution, which reflects the aspirations of the people," the senior Maoist leader claimed. According to him, the government is now under the obligation to present a bill in the parliament and act accordingly to ensure that the House decisions are implemented. ?For this, our activities should be focused to help the government carry out the House instructions and hold the CA election as early as possible."Asked how the Maoist party would move ahead to implement the House decision, Vaidya said that the government was already facing a moral question regarding the recent House decision. ?Our efforts would be to exert pressure on the government in a peaceful manner to act in line with the spirit of the House motions on the republican setup and proportional representation system."?It is up to the Nepali Congress whether or not to move ahead as per the democratic norms and practices. If the government does not follow the parliament's instructions, it will lose its credibility and will also lose the right to rule.Regarding the provision in the interim constitution for implementing the adopted proposals he said, ?the constitutional provision of the two third majority for adopting the motion on monarchy is a technical one. Moreover they are related with the CA election and the majority lawmakers have passed the motions. They are of political importance. Now we have to see whether the Congress wants the election or not. It depends on how the government responds to parliament's instructions. If the government ignores or makes unnecessary delay to implement them, we will start people's movement. Therefore, the government should act accordingly or else invite its eventual collapse."He clarified that the party would not join the government even after the government implements the instructions. ?The condition for us to join the government is the end of the authoritarian attitude of the Congress and creation of environment for the genuine practice of lokatantra in which the government operates on consensus," he said.Denying rift in the seven-party alliance because of the division in parliament during the voting, he claimed the voting in parliament has created a new basis for alliance among seven parties. This unity must be strengthened to institutionalise a republican set up in the country.?Maintaining the alliance is the need of the hour as it has not achieved its goal of holding CA election and thereby ensuring restructuring of the state. This mission was set when the seven parties and our party reached the 12-point understanding two years ago," he added.Vaidhya termed the leftist unity seen in the voting as the victory of the Nepali people and against the hegemonistic attitude of some partners in the alliance. ?The left unity should not undermine the SPA or alienate the Congress, but it should rather be used to strengthen the alliance to foil the conspiracy of reactionary and imperialist forces. As the leftist force is a progressive force, it has the responsibility to work for a free and fair CA election and the leftist have to reorient their activities towards the free and fair election."At the same time, the Maoist leader warned of fresh agitation if the government ignored the other demands of the Maoists. ?The issues concerning the whereabouts of the disappeared people, providing relief to the family of the martyrs, facilities and salary to the Maoist combatants are humanitarian issues, which must be addressed with priority. How can we go for polls without addressing these issues?" he said.

Source: The Rising Nepal, November 7, 2007

House Decision

THE special session of the parliament reached a majority decision in which it concurred on a federal democratic republic ahead of the Constituent Assembly elections and a fully proportional election system. The special session saw intense deliberations for a protracted period amongst the leaders of the political parties and the parliamentarians. That this decision was reached augurs well for the peace and democratic process of the country that at one time looked like floundering, much to the chagrin of the people at large who had made great sacrifices.

At one time, it was feared that the Seven Party Alliance was on the verge of breaking up as the negotiations were taking place, but finally reason prevailed, and the alliance remained intact. Unity amongst the political parties is crucial at this time, especially at a time when efforts are underway to hold the Constituent Assembly elections. This has now opened the way for declaring the date for the Constituent Assembly elections that would decide the future course the country would take. Due to adverse circumstances, the elections had to be postponed twice. This had drawn not only widespread anxiety in the country, but also of the international community that wanted to see the successful culmination of the peace and democratic process.

However, what is to be noted is that the parliament had failed to garner the required two-third majority to immediately declare the country a republic by changing the interim constitution. The decision reached by the House comes at a time when it is being questioned if the Constituent Assembly elections can be held in a free and fair manner without fear and intimidation of the voters. There are regressive elements that are bent on creating an environment that is not congenial for the holding of the elections. Such attempts should be thwarted and the disgruntled elements, some of whom have genuine grievances, should come to the negotiating table to sort out matters so that the important exercise of holding the Constituent Assembly elections can be brought to fruition.

In any case, the House decision should be hailed by all accounts as there was giving and taking on key issues in the proposals, whereby the Maoists withdrew its motion for the immediate declaration of a republic and the consequent UML support for a fully proportional electoral system. Now that various issues that served as impediments for the successful holding of the Constituent Assembly polls have been thrashed out, the country looks forward to the continuation of the democratic exercise with the hope that the peace achieved in the country will be lasting.

Source: The Rising Nepal, November 7, 2007

Interview with Maoist leader Ram Bahadur Thapa in Nepal

“I stand with the revolution”
28 October

MIN BAJRACHARYA

By raising demands on the eve of the constituent assembly elections, the Maoists are accused of being against polls. Why are you going against the very agenda you raised? On a superficial level, it looks like the CPN-M was behind the delay in elections. But if you take a closer look, you’ll see that the NC and other parties are the main culprits. Take a look at our demands, and see if they are legitimate or not. The parties are responsible for the election postponement because they refused to budge. Don’t you see that you are endangering the peace process and a return to war? We have seen that danger. If the government tries to suppress our peaceful revolution with weapons then it will be clear that they have no desire to hold elections or change to a republic. I don’t think they’ll make such a stupid move. But history has shown that in extreme cases, people do resort to stupidity. So we haven’t dismissed that possibility. In the span of one-and-a-half years, what have you accomplished and what have you lost? Our recently concluded fifth plenum answers this question. There were forces that tried to isolate us by labelling us terrorists. They have failed. The middle class no longer misunderstands us and we have established international relations. But there have also been losses. We have had trouble making the changes we wanted. We failed to make the people understand many of our agreements. Regressive forces have made use of that. Our weaknesses in madhesi, janjati and republican issues have been exposed.

Are you a hardliner? No. There are right-wingers, middle-of-the- roaders, and leftist factions in our own party and they are in constant conflict. So where do you stand among those factions? We are revolutionaries and I fall into that category. Our party follows the revolutionary code. I am on the side of revolution and if the party line goes against my beliefs, then I will stand with the revolution. It is said that you have tried to establish yourself against Chairman Prachanda. That is also part of a conspiracy. I do not surface in public much, and that is my weakness. This rumour has spread because certain factions wish it. You have said that you do not want a republic like that in Iraq or Sikkim. We want a Nepali republic, where Nepalis make the decisions. Foreign help will be required, but not foreign direction. If foreigners try to direct us instead of just helping us, it will be an attack on our national integrity. You have maintained that there is an Indian hand in everything, but we do not see you opposing it. Our line on India is clear. There are many treaties and agreements with Nepal that need to be changed. We don’t want to ruin our relationship with India, we want to make it better in the future. But our party will oppose India’s incorrect actions. Certain factions in India are hatching a conspiracy against the movement of the Nepali people. This is an attack on our independence. The madhesi incidents are also anti-national.

Source: People's March, November 1, 2007