Stating that the task of constitution writing cannot be completed on schedule without first bringing the peace process to a logical end, Poudel said, "We should first focus our attention to bringing the peace process to a logical end. This cannot happen without first emptying the cantonments and the arms containers." There was no relevance of the rebel army (Maoist combatants), their weapons and the cantonments, he added.
Poudel came down heavily on the Maoists and other concerned agencies for not discharging over 4,000 former Maoist soldiers, who have been disqualified by the UNMIN. He claimed that the combatants were still undergoing training instead of being discharged immediately. "This is a conspiracy and should be taken as the Maoists´ strategy for another confrontation," he claimed.
The UNMIN registered a total number of 32,250 Maoist army combatants. Of them, 19, 602 were qualified for integration. However, 8,640 combatants did not appear for verification interviews during the second phase and were automatically disqualified. As many as 4,008 persons still remain to be discharged from the cantonments -- 2,973 of them were assessed to be under the age of 18 in 2006, according to the UNMIN.
´Maoist decisions objectionable´
NC leader Poudel accused the Unified CPN (Maoist) of violating the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA). Claiming that some of the decisions taken by the Maoist Central Committee meeting were objectionable, he accused the Maoists of moving ahead against the spirit of the CPA. "The Maoist CC meet has reappointed Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal as the supreme commander of the Maoist´s army. Many other leaders have been appointed as commanders. These decisions are absolutely against the peace process and the CPA," Poudel said.
He also termed the Maoists´ decision to reinstate its relation with Revolutionary Internationalist Movement (RIM) and the Confederation of Maoist Parties of South Asia (COMPOSA) as an objectionable move. "The latest activities clearly indicate that the Maoists are not sincere about its commitment to multiparty democracy," he added. Poudel also argued that the Maoists´ decision to go for the People´s Republic and the party´s proposals submitted in various Constituent Assembly committees were against the principle of multiparty democracy. He claimed that the Maoists still stuck to its plan of establishing one-party dictatorship in the country.
He also criticized the Maoists for their disregard against the principle of separation of powers. He demanded that Maoist furnish clarification on such issues.
´No need of new pact´
Poudel ruled out any possibility of reaching a new agreement with Maoists and other major political parties. "The proposals put forth for new agreement against the 12-point accord and CPA are absolutely unacceptable unless the past agreements and understandings are implemented in practice," he said. Lately, the Maoist leaders have been demanding a new agreement to meet the needs of the changed political context.
Poudel also stressed on the need to reactivate the Special Committee for Supervision, Integration and Rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants.
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