Three days of bilateral and multilateral engagements among the UCPN-M, NC and UML have yielded precious little if anything. Going by the details of these negotiations, there is little reason for confidence that the parties will be able to seal a deal any time soon. The parties may have reached some principle-level understandings but when it comes to the nitty-gritty differences still persist.
While the leaders have failed to make any headway, the general strike called by the Maoists is already taking a heavy toll. It has dealt a further blow to the already deteriorating national economy, and since the strike has come during the peak tourist season it has hit the tourism industry hard. The strike is also beginning to take a toll on the health of the Maoist cadres, especially those brought to Kathmandu Valley from various parts of the country, due to lack of clean drinking water and proper sanitation.
Reports of hundreds of Maoist cadres falling sick are making newspaper headlines. Experts have even warned of an outbreak out of epidemics in the Valley if the protestors are not provided clean drinking water, hygienic food and good sanitation facilities.
All these factors cry out for expedited talks and the reaching of an agreement before it’s too late. If the public posturing continues for a few more days, it will become more and more of a prestige issue for both sides, making compromise and agreement even more difficult. There is also a risk that if the talks fail to make any progress, the Maoists might feel the need to push harder with their protests.
Maoists flexing their muscles on the streets means tougher measures from the government which in turn will only set the stage for clashes and violence, something that will not be in the country´s interest. The parties are best advised to avoid such a situation.
There is now no alternative to a national unity government participated by all the major political forces, but at the same time, no such government can be formed unless there is a comprehensive agreement on the six-point agenda over which the parties are holding negotiations. We urge the parties to negotiate day and night and reach an agreement on each of the issues.
Once the parties reach an agreement Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal should resign and the Maoists should call off their strike, paving the way for the formation of a national unity government.
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