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Nepal Maiosts to join interim gov't, dissolve parliament

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

New Delhi, June 17, IRNA
Nepal-Maoists-Interim gov't
In a historic decision that signals a new direction for the Himalayan kingdom, the Nepalese government has agreed to dissolve parliament and set up an interim administration that will include Maoist rebels following a day of top-level peace talks in the capital.

Rebel leader Prachanda, after his first ever face-to-face talks with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, announced his resolve to end the decade-long armed conflict in the country, Doordarshan News said here.

"This is a historic decision and will move the country in a new direction," 58-year-old Prachanda told a crowded press conference after the marathon parleys which lasted for over 10 hours.

"A new interim constitution will be prepared within three weeks and after that a new interim government will be formed," he said.

Prachanda was speaking at a joint news conference with leaders of some of Nepal's seven main political parties.

The reclusive insurgent chief was making his first known visit to Kathmandu since launching an insurgency in 1996.

The Maoists and the government formed a five-member drafting committee headed by former supreme court justice Laxman Prasad Aryal to prepare an interim constitution on the basis of the 12-point understanding.

The committee will draft an interim constitution within 15 days which, after endorsement in talks by the Maoists and government, will replace the present Nepalese constitution, Home Minister Sitoula said.

Admitting that the "arms struggle alone could not capture Kathmandu," Prachanda said cooperation between the peaceful parliamentary forces and those taking up arms to launch a joint movement was a new and unique example in world history.

He said the seven parties could not have created the wave of agitation by themselves which ended the autocratic regime of King Gyanendra.

Prachanda also said the strength of the Nepalese Army should be brought down from 90,000 to 20,000.

"The Army is not in a position to fight either with India or with China. So, why should we need a huge army?," he asked.

Prachanda also asked for dissolution of parliament and the present government as soon as possible and framing of an interim constitution as well as an interim government with the inclusion of the rebels.

The constituent assembly election should be held within a year, that means by April-May next year, he said.

Home Minister Sitoula also said the seven-party alliance and the Maoists were both now on the path to peace and democracy as per the wishes of the Nepalese people.

"Now we have to implement the 25-point ceasefire and 12-point understanding sincerely to resolve the present crisis," he said.

CPN-UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said today's dialogue has proved that the Nepalese people were capable of solving their problem by themselves.

"Now we are moving on the path to peace, development and building of a peaceful and prosperous Nepal," they added.

Besides Prachanda and Koirala, the joint statement was signed by leaders of the seven-party government including Madhav Kumar Nepal, Deputy Prime Minister and Janamorcha Nepal Chairman Amik Serchan and Deuba, who is the president of the NC (Democratic).

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