Difference on language of joint resolution draft remains

(Updated)

KATHMANDU, Oct 3: A meeting between the ruling Nepali Congress and CPN-UML and the main opposition UCPN (Maoist) has failed to finalize a draft of the joint resolution to be presented at the legislature-parliament to end the protracted political crisis. [break]



The meeting has, however, decided to forward the matter to the top political party leaders, who are likely to meet in a couple of days.




“We do not feel that the draft properly addressed our concerns. Therefore, it needs to be taken up by a meeting of top leaders of the three parties,” Maoist vice-chairman Narayankaji Shrestha told reporters after the meeting held at the UML parliamentary party office at Singha Durbar Saturday morning.



The Maoist standing committee meeting held immediately after the three-party meeting concluded that the other political parties are not really sincere about addressing the Maoist demands. The meeting also concluded that the issue should be settled at the meeting of the top political party leaders. One party leader engaged in the talks said the top leaders will be meeting in a couple of days.



According to a UML leader, the parties failed to make a breakthrough after the Maoists demanded that the step taken by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav should be mentioned in the resolution proper, not in any background text. The draft prepared by the NC and UML has mentioned the president´s move only in the background text.



The party leaders have agreed in principle to uphold civilian supremacy, the executive powers of the cabinet, the ceremonial role of the president and civilian control over the army.



NC and UML leaders said they are close to a deal and only "minor" differences remain.



NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said the parties are near consensus over the draft. "Only minor differences over the language of the draft need to be sorted out," Poudel said.



He said they are sure to reach consensus by October 7 when parliament is scheduled to meet.



Similarly, Pradip Gyawali of CPN-UML said it is quite natural for some minor differences to surface during talks as accommodating all the views of the three parties in the joint document would be next to impossible.



"These are negotiations," said Gyawali. "If we have to agree to whatever the Maoists say, why should we negotiate at all?"



The NC and the CPN-UML want the resolution to be a general statement that may mention the president and uphold civilian supremacy but does not take Dr Ram Baran Yadav to task for reinstating then army chief Rookmangud Katawal against the then Maoist-led government´s decision to sack him.

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