Many had hoped the peace process to roll on after the Maoists on Sept 17 agreed in principle to dissociate their combatants effective from that day. But there has been no progress toward bringing the combatants under the command and supervision of the Special Committee.
In this context, Republica’s Prem Khanal and Kiran Chapagain talked to Ishwor Pokharel, General Secretary of CPN-UML and a member on the Special Committee, for his views on the progress of the Special Committee and other political issues. Pokharel is also a member of a three-member taskforce formed by the Committee to sort out differences on issues related to integration and rehabilitation. [break]
EXCERPTS
Your party has been batting for national consensus to end the political impasse for long. But the efforts for consensus have not yielded any results yet. Why?
There are three main reasons. First, lack of agreement on issues related to the peace process has prevented us from forging a consensus. Second, there is lack of an agreement on contents of a new democratic constitution. Finally, we have failed to come to an agreement on the model of power-sharing in politics of understanding.
Should external forces or internal interests be blamed for this?
If parties do not accept each others’ existence and quarrel among themselves, it is natural to have neighbors interfering in our affairs. Political parties should remain united.
Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML and other parties have argued that there has been no progress in resolving the current political deadlock because past agreements have not been implemented. Do you also support this argument?
Our party is clear on the issue of peace and constitution. As decided by our central committee, we have also reached out to other parties with proposals with a clear roadmap to steer the peace process forward and draft a new constitution. We have also told the Maoists and NC that anything borne out of consensus will be acceptable to us.
However, Maoists cannot lead a consensus government until they do not do away with the conflict-time mentality, behavior and structures.
Does it mean that Maoists should not be allowed to lead a government unless the party dissociates from its army?
I believe there is partial truth in that theory. The Maoists are good at playing in contradictions to elevate their position. They used this to their advantage during insurgency. But this kind of game does not work in open politics. There are people in the Maoist party who believe that management (integration and rehabilitation) of the combatants should not be done. The politics guided by such mentality will fail.
There is a theory that Maoists are not committed to the management of their combatants. Do you buy this argument?
Yes, implicitly.
In a decision made on Sept 17, the Special Committee announced detachment of the combatants from the Maoist party in principle effective from that day. But the combatants are yet to be brought under the Committee in practice. Why do you think there’s a delay?
That was only a policy-level matter. They cannot come under the Committee until a plan of action for integration and rehabilitation is finalized. It is due to lack of willingness on the part of the Maoists.
Should the Committee be blamed for it?
Maoists are a decisive party in the ongoing peace process. Lack of willingness in the Maoist party definitely affects the process.
What is the reason behind that?
The Maoists seem confused, and it has slowed the pace of the peace process.
When will the peace process catch momentum again?
This pace will continue until we are able to reduce their confusion.
On Sept 17, the Special Committee had decided to form a secretariat to carry out the integration and rehabilitation as soon as possible. But things have not happened accordingly. Why?
It’s because of Maoists’ interest in designating the person of their choice to the post of coordinator of the secretariat.
Who is their choice?
They have not spelled out their choice directly. The coordinator should be a professional person. It will be surprising to have a Maoist commander as the coordinator of the secretariat.
And who is the government’s choice?
A professional person with national and international recognition should lead the secretariat. Such a person should be senior and competent and who understands the importance of integration and rehabilitation.
What is the progress of the work of the taskforce formed by the Special Committee?
We discussed all the contentious issues, including standard norms for integration.
Any progress in sorting our differences in standard norms?
We have reached an understanding on standard norms and there will be no further discussion in this regard. We have concluded that standard norms mean: a) standard norms set by security agencies for recruitment, b) integration should not be viewed as normal recruitment by security agencies and c) some additional things should be considered in the context of integration.
The taskforce concluded that that no one should stick to basic parameters of security agencies for recruitment. Additional factors like age, marital status, education, among others, should be considered while carrying out integration.
What will be the highest rank that will be given to the Maoist combatants in security agencies?
It is hypothetical to talk in this regard. The proposed secretariat will decide about this.
Maoist leaders in private say that at least a brigadier general should be given to them.
It is not like political power-sharing. We talk about making security agencies more professional and competent and we should stick to it.
Is Nepal Army (NA) being cooperative in this process?
Very cooperative.
Is there any concern, prejudice from the NA?
The army is very positive and friendly. They have told the prime minister that integration is a matter to be decided at the political level.
What is the reason behind NA’s cooperation?
There are competent and intellectual officers in the army leadership.
Did the taskforce also deal with rehabilitation packages for combatants?
We discussed rehabilitation packages in general. The Maoists want golden handshake to those combatants who will opt for voluntary exit. But there is a question over the amount of money to be given to such combatants. It is under discussion.
Similarly, we discussed about offering agriculture-related packages, education, foreign employment, among others, to those who will opt for rehabilitation. But it needs a broader discussion.
Related story
Govt implements stricter norms for multi-year contracts
_20230205122050.jpg)
-1779250876.webp)
