During the meeting held at Singha Durbar, the three major parties debated whether to replace UNMIN with the already-formed Special Committee or with an alternative mechanism, after the main opposition Maoists argued that the monitoring of Maoist combatants cannot be done on an ´ad hoc´ basis.[break]
The Maoists maintained that the new mechanism must also monitor the Nepal Army - something the NC rejected outright, arguing that the context for monitoring the NA was already over with the concusion of the Constituent Assembly election.
According to NC leader Bimalendra Nidhi, the Maoists proposed two different models for an alternative mechanism to UNMIN -- forming a joint team of the government and the Maoists or a six-member team comprising one political leader and one Special Committee member from each of the three parties. However, the NC and UML rooted for the Special Committee for the purpose.
Talking to media after the meeting, Maoist Vice-chairman Narayan Kaji Shrestha said the three parties agreed to sit for another round of talks after holding discussions in their respective parties on an alternative mechanism to replace UNMIN. “We have clearly said that leaving the Nepal Army outside the monitoring would be a violation of the Comprehensive Peace Accord,” he said.
Shrestha said the meeting was put off after the NC leaders said they needed to hold discussions in their own party on forming such a joint team. “The date for the next meeting will be settled through mutual understanding,” he said.
The three-party meeting began with Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal floating two agendas -- bringing Maoist combatants under the practical control of the Special Committee through a formal ceremony and implementing directives prepared by the Special Committee to monitor the cantoned Maoist combatants after UNMIN´s departure.
Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed concern that the absence of UNMIN could place the ongoing peace process in serious jeopardy. He argued that UNMIN´s presence in one form or other must be ensured to take the peace process to a logical end. “There are some forces bent on leading the peace process towards disaster. We will all sink for we are all in the same boat,” a leader quoted Dahal as saying.
- Maoists propose joint team of govt and Maoists or six-member team of political leaders and Special Committee members from three parties
- NC, UML root for Special Committee to replace UNMIN
- Maoists say Nepal Army must be kept under monitoring, supervision
Referring to a news report, Chairman Dahal expressed fear that the country could head towards presidential rule backed by the Nepal Army, and this would lead to yet another series of violence.
The prime minister then clarified that the government did not write to the UN Security Council for yet another extension as it would be ridiculous to seek a ´last´ term extension. He added that there would be no problem as such as the UN has said it would keep closely monitoring the peace process even after the departure of UNMIN.
Taking the floor, NC President Sushil Koirala suggested discussing an alternative mechanism to replace UNMIN instead of talking about extending UNMIN´s term. “We need first to bridge the trust deficit that exists among us,” the leader quoted Koirala as saying. “The Maoists must be ready to settle the issue of arms and armies for bridging the trust deficit.”
UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal also seconded Koirala´s proposal to discuss an alternative mechanism to UNMIN after January 15. He then asked the prime minister to present an alternative arrangement if the government had one.
When the prime minister presented the directives of the Special Committee agreed earlier by representatives of all three parties, Maoist leader Dev Gurung reacted strongly to the government´s decision not to extend UNMIN´s term. “The government´s decision not to extend UNMIN´s term is against the Interim Constitution. The government must withdraw its letter to the UNSC,” he said, adding: “We must review the CPA and reach a new agreement to conclude the peace process.”
Finally persuaded that there was no possibility of extending UNMIN´s term, Maoist Chairman Dahal proposed that the NC and UML must agree to keep the Nepal Army also under monitoring, and not just Maoist combatants, if they are to form a new mechanism to replace UNMIN. “There is no point holding any further talks if you do not agree to keep the Nepal Army under monitoring and supervision by the new mechanism,” a leader quoted Dahal as saying. “We won´t accept that at any cost.”
“If this is your stance [not keeping the Nepal Army under supervision] you can consider the ongoing peace process broken down,” Dahal warned NC and the UML.
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