Pokharel said they are yet to settle the major thorny issues, including the integration numbers, integration modality, norms, rank determination and the rehabilitation package.[break]
He said the Maoists´ frequent change of stance is the major stumbling block to the peace process.
“The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) and the Interim Constitution should be the major guidelines for the integration of Maoist combatants into the security agencies and the past agreements mustn´t be disregarded while striking a new deal,” Pokharel told Republica. “But the Maoists come up with new proposals time and again instead of showing firm commitment to past accords. It is where the problem lies.”
According to him, there are still serious differences between the UCPN (Maoist) and non-Maoist parties over the modality of integration. He claimed the Maoists intend to create a “separate force” in the national army.
“As we confront a special political situation, we (non-Maoists) want to form a “special directorate” under the national army with special terms of references (TOR) and jurisdiction,” he explained.
He said they may be deployed for disaster management, forest or industrial security. “But the Maoists intend to create a separate unit of the former combatants in the NA which we can´t accept,” he said.
He said while the standard norms for integration would be similar to that of group entry, every individual combatant would have to meet the NA criteria. He said while they have agreed to adopt flexibility on the question of combatants´ marital status, education and age, the combatants willing to join the national army must meet other standards.
Similarly, the Maoists have been insisting on a political deal for the top posts, but other parties have been arguing that the combatants can´t be awarded top posts unless they meet the NA criteria. Though the Maoists have said that the issue of rank determination for the top levels will not be a hard nut to crack as senior Maoist commanders would continue politics instead of joining the army, Pokharel said the case isn´t that simple. According to him, despite their public posture, they haven´t stopped claiming their stake to senior ranks during the inter-party talks.
According to Pokharel, the non-Maoist parties have differences with the Maoists´ proposal on the rehabilitation package as well. He also stressed the need for ensuring education, employment and skill-oriented programs for the combatants. “But the Maoist leaders are for sending the former combatants back to their villages with a handsome amount,” he said. Pokharel smells a rat on Maoist leaders´ intention. The party collects a certain percentage from the salary provided to the combatants by the government as well.
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