The Maoist chairman put forward such views in the Fireside program on Kantipur Television, Monday evening. [break]
"Article 147 of the Constitution has the provision for arms monitoring and the role of UNMIN. How does one interpret the constitutional provision after UNMIN exits? I don´t say the country will revert to war, but what I am saying is that there should be a new agreement," said Dahal.
The Maoist chairman said that the government must reach a broad agreement on four issues after UNMIN leaves: 1) an agreement on arms monitoring; 2) the mechanism to take over overall monitoring of the peace process, whether it will be done by a joint team, civil society or ex-soldiers; 3) the vacuum left after the dissolution of the Joint Monitoring Coordination Committee (JMCC); and 4) not taking the Nepal Army (NA) out of the monitoring.
The former rebel leader also stated that his party would take some "bold decision" regarding the integration and rehabilitation of the party´s combatants, but he did not elaborate. He only said that the party would take such a bold decision on combatants´ integration while striking a package deal on power-sharing. The Maoist chairman claimed that his party being the largest in parliament should lead the government, but said he would agree to other party leaders as well for the post of prime minister if there is consensus.
He reiterated that his party is ready to hand over combatants to the Special Committee for integration and rehabilitation of Maoist combatants, amidst a function participated by national and foreign participants. He said the party is ready to strike a deal on the modality and procedures for integration and fix the number of combatants to be integrated into security forces after canvassing their views in the cantonments.
In the program, the Maoist chairman said that India played "negative roles" in the Nepali peace process, in contrast to the role played over the signing of the 12-point agreement, after his party became the largest in parliament. He held India responsible for repeated failure in Nepal to form a government.
Dahal also dismissed reports that the recent visit by party Vice-chairman Dr Baburam Bhattarai would help the party thaw its relations with India. "I don´t think that relations would improve overnight through a single meeting," he said.
In the program, Dahal also dismissed media reports that his party has not categorically designated India as "the principal enemy." It may be recalled that the party´s recent official document, prepared after fusing his views with those of hardline party leader Mohan Baidya, states the "fusion of Indian expansionism and domestic reactionaries" as the principal enemy, something Vice-chairman Dr Babuaram Bhattarai has seriously objected to.
Dahal refuted the report that he is against Bhattarai becoming prime minister. "It is a question of party policy, not individuals," he said.
Civil society can take up monitoring task: Pun
Maoist Standing Committee as well as Special Committee member Barshaman Pun said on Monday that civil society could be asked to monitor the peace process after UNMIN leaves.
"After UNMIN leaves, we will revert to the stage of ceasefire. And we can develop a civil society mechanism to monitor the ceasefire," Pun told Republica. According to him, such a monitoring mechanism may comprise civil society leaders such as Padma Ratna Tuladhar and Daman Nath Dhungana.
According to Pun, Article 147 of the Interim Constitution as well as the Comprehensive Peace Agreement will become inactive after UNMIN leaves. He was of the opinion that the parties will have to strike a new agreement after that.
Meanwhile, Minister for Peace Rakam Chemjong, speaking at Reporter´s Club Monday, has claimed that the UNMIN exit will have no impact on the peace process. "I don´t think that the peace process will be derailed after UNMIN leaves," he said, adding that the mission was just monitoring the Maoist combatants and arms of the Nepal Army.
"The task will now be carried out by the Special Committee," he further stated.
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