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News of Jan
6, 2007
Maoists Issue Fresh Warning
to Nepal Government
By Sudeshna Sarkar
Kathmandu, Jan 6
Angered by the government's delay in implementing a new statute,
Nepal's Maoist guerrillas have given a fresh warning to Prime
Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, threatening to start a fresh
agitation from mid-January.
Maoist supremo Prachanda, who made a surprise visit to remote
Dolakha district in northern Nepal, told a meeting Friday that
unless the seven-party government implemented the new constitution
by the end of the Nepali month of Poush (Jan 14), his party would
start a fresh protest movement.
"The Koirala government had promised the new constitution will be
implemented," the rebel chief said in Charikot town.
"If the government does not keep its word, we will start a peaceful
but strong protest movement with the participation of civil
society."
Although the parties and Maoists finalized a new constitution Dec
16, it is yet to be promulgated.
The new statute would further reduce the position of King Gyanendra,
who would be replaced as head of state by the prime minister.
The new draft would also pave the way for a new government in which
the Maoists would be included.
However, Koirala himself is perceived as trying to block the new
constitution.
The veteran politician, who wants the king to remain as head of
state, says the rebels would not be inducted in the government till
they lay down their arms.
The Maoists have agreed to lock up their arms and soldiers in
makeshift camps, which would be supervised by the UN. The monitoring
would start from Monday.
But after imposing the arms condition, Koirala is now posing a new
objection. He says the new constitution gives dictatorial powers to
the prime minister in the new government.
With the fresh tug of war between Koirala and the rebels, it is
feared that a key election, to be held by June, could be delayed,
adding to Maoist anger and public disappointment.
Both the government and the rebels have already started blaming each
other over the possibility that the election could be delayed.
Koirala says the Maoists should allow police posts to re-open.
During the decade-old Maoist insurgency, they were shut down in
areas where the guerrillas had strongholds. Unless the posts are
re-opened, voters would not feel they have security.
After being warned by Koirala that the rebels would be responsible
for the poll delay if they did not allow the posts to re-open, the
Maoists had to relent.
Prachanda now says the posts can be re-opened in the southern Terai
plains but for the hilly areas, the government should consult his
party.
Last month, the rebels had shut down Kathmandu Valley for a day and
threatened to enforce a two-day general strike if the new
constitution was not promulgated within 10 days.
Though they later withdrew the ultimatum, Prachanda's latest warning
revives the fear of fresh disruptions.
IANS
News of Jan
6, 2007
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