PM's remark on army integration meaningless: Sujata

CHITWAN, June 28: Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala on Sunday said that Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal´s statement on Maoist fighters´ integration into the national army had no meaning as he expressed his ideas without consulting other political parties in the coalition government. [break]

Only 5,000 Maoist combatants can be absorbed in the army: PM

The matter of army integration can´t be endorsed without consensus among the coalition partners, Koirala told reporters here on Sunday. "The prime minister´s remark has no meaning as any judgment on army integration will have no authenticity without cabinet decision," she said.

In an interview with an international news agency, Prime Minister Nepal on Thursday said only 5,000 former combatants who meet criteria for enrollment in the national army can be absorbed in the Nepal Army.

Koirala also urged the Maoists to join the government. Stating that the Maoists have to join the government, she said that his father NC President GP Koirala was working to "melt stone-hearted Maoists."

She claimed that there would be "more instability in the country if the current government was changed."

Koirala claimed that the government will last until the new constitution is drafted. "If this government is collapsed, the country will be pushed to the brink of civil war," she said.

Border encroachment ´not clear´ yet

On reports of border encroachment by India, Koirala said the foreign ministry was seriously working to determine whether or not there has been border encroachment. She said diplomatic effort was on for this, adding it would take some time to come to a conclusion.

Koirala indicated that “discussions” were on with India in this regard. However, Koirala did not reply to the question whether there has been any encroachment upon the border.

Meanwhile, Irrigation Minister Balkrishna Khand said on Sunday that no one should look for alternative to the present government. Speaking at a program organized by Press Union Chitwan, the minister said the government should become a national government.

Requesting the Maoists to join the government, Khand said that the Constituent Assembly should not be made a battle ground for forming and changing the government. Recalling that the 12-point understanding was reached amidst divergent views of the political parties, he pointed out the need for a new agreement among the political parties.