The agreement says that up to 6,500 combatants will be integrated. Why did parties not specify the exact number of combatants for integration?
Girija Prasad Koirala and Prachanda (Pushpa Kamal Dahal) had agreed to integrative tentatively 5,000 combatants before the combatants were cantoned. Later, the Maoist leaders said that the number should be 12,000. Then, they lowered it to 10,000. A later later, they asked for 8,000 combatants to be integrated. Finally, they put the figure at 7,000.
Would it make any difference if the number has been exactly 6,500?
What happens if 6,500 combatants could not qualify for integration? What happens if we fix the number as 6,500 and only 5,000 combatants qualify for integration? So, it was not practical to be specific on the number.
The agreement has set November 23 as the deadline to complete the categorization. But it is silent on the timeframe to complete the whole peace process. Why?
If we complete the categorization within a month, all will depend on the process of the Nepal Army. The matter of timeframe falls in the jurisdiction of the Special Committee.
Why has the rehabilitation package offered two schemes -- one in cash and another in kind? It is because some may opt for education and training while others may prefer a cash package.
Why has the agreement proposed to give cash package in two tranches?
The state could not give cash in one tranche. We had proposed that the cash should be given in three tranches. We understood the sensitivity of the Maoists on this issue and agreed on two trenches. Our leader Sushil Koirala took a bold decision in this regard.
Tentatively, how much money is required for rehabilitation package?
We have estimated that each combatant will get Rs 515,000 on average. The total figure will be above five billion rupees.
How the rank of the combatants will be determined in the integration process?
It is a technical issue. I suppose that the combatants may get the rank on the basis of their number of years in the Maoist army. I suppose the maximum service year of combatant will be no more than 15 years. You can imagine the highest rank that the combatants will reach. The integration is going to be dignified as the date of the combatants joining the army will also be recognized as service years in the Nepal Army.
How will the landowners whose lands have been seized during the conflict be compensated?
The owners will be given compensation equal to the produce of their land of the seizure period. We agreed to give the compensation because returning land without compensation will be injustice to the owners. And, it is not a big issue if we compare the amount required for compensation to these people and for rehabilitation of ex-combatants. The amount may be less than one billion rupees. Nepali Congress and CPN-UML proposed the compensation to victim landowners and Maoist leaders agreed to our proposal. Madhesi leaders also supported. Experts will determine such compensation.
What will happen to the Maoist arms after they come under the control of the government once the integration process begins?
I do not want to create ripples by revealing what will be done to the arms in future. The government will take a decision at that time.
The agreement says that all the conflict-affected will be compensated without any discrimination. What does it mean?
All those killed, injured or affected during the conflict will be compensated without any discrimination. Even the security personnel who were already compensated by the government before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement will be compensated at par with the Maoists who have been victim of the conflict as per the agreement.
What high-level political mechanism in the seven-point deal means?
It means a mechanism of top leaders of major parties. Its mandate and formation is yet to be discussed.
What do you mean by formation of a government of political understanding as agreed in deal?
It is the government of all major parties represented in the Constituent Assembly.
Who will lead such a government?
We are yet to discuss leadership of such a government and sharing of ministries among parties. We have not begun discussions in this regard. But we will focus on the implementation of those provisions that have been agreed to be translated into action by November 23.
Now with the signing of the deal, can NC and UML join the government and make this government a consensus one?
We have not discussed in that direction. There are three phases before us -- completion of the peace process, promulgation of the constitution, and holding a general election.
But your party has long been maintaining that it can join the Maoist-led government if a package deal on the peace process is signed. Isn´t it the time for NC to join the government now that Maoists have agreed on all contentious issues of the peace process?
Yes, you are right. Our concern was defining the integration. The integration has now been defined in a proper way. We will now discuss joining the government. But NC will be more focused on implementation of the agreement. The faster the agreement is implemented the quicker a government of consensus will be in place. But we are not in a hurry to join the government.
As the parties have agreed to initiate drafting of the constitution after a month, the extension of the Constituent Assembly (CA) term seems unavoidable. How long the CA will be extended after the current term expires on November 30?
CA term will be extended once. If the most important task of the peace process is completed by November 23, it will lead people to trust the parties that they will deliver a constitution. In that context, people will support the extension of the term.
How long will be the next term of the CA?
It will be short. We are yet to discuss the length of the next term. In my opinion, the term should be extended by three more months. But the issue has not yet been discussed in the party.
When will the expert group on state restructuring be formed?
Within four to five days -- by Sunday.
How this agreement is different from previous ones on advancing the peace process?
In fact, this is not a new agreement. It is a commitment to implement the past agreements including the 12-point understanding, Comprehensive Peace Agreement, Agreement on Management of Arms and Armies (AMMA), among others.
This agreement has defined the AMMA in a proper way. The Maoists had not agreed to define AMMA in the past.
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