Parties, Maoists agree to end ‘autocratic monarchy’ to establish 'total democracy'
In what is seen as a major political development, the underground CPN (Maoist) Tuesday announced that it has entered into an agreement with seven agitating political parties to "abolish the autocratic monarchy" and offered to accept ‘total democracy’, as demanded by the parties, and keep its armed forces under the supervision of the United Nations or any other reliable international institution ‘during an election to Constituent Assembly’.
Issuing a press statement today, CPN (Maoist) chairman Prachanda said his party and the seven parties have, following negotiations, arrived at a 12-point ‘understanding’ as per which both sides would be working for the "establishment of total democracy by abolishing the autocratic monarchy”.
“The country is in need of positive solution to the armed conflict and permanent peace. We [Maoists] are fully committed to bring the armed conflict to an end and establish permanent peace after ending the autocratic monarchy and hold election to the Constituent Assembly as a process of establishing total democracy. In this regard, agreement has been reached [with the parties] to keep the Maoist armed forces and the royal army under the supervision of the United Nations’ or any other reliable international institution during the process of election to the Constituent Assembly to be conducted after the end of autocratic monarchy,” Prachanda’s statement said.
In what could be an indication of the rebel outfit being ready to co-exist with constitutional or ceremonial monarchy, the 12-point agreement didn’t mention about the Maoist demand of 'republican setup' or the end of the institution of monarchy as such.
Prachanda in his statement mentioned that his party welcomed international mediation in the process of peacefully resolving the crisis.
In the agreement, the rebel party also pledged to accept the mandate of the election to Constituent Assembly, stressing the need to make the election process free and fair.
The Maoist supremo stated that the parties have expressed commitment for formal talks with his party on the issue of Constituent Assembly election --after forming an all-party government following the restoration of the parliament.
He added that both sides have agreed to give continuity to negotiations to decide the procedures of a broad political conference, an interim government and the Constituent Assembly election to resolve the political crisis.
Both sides also agreed to go against the municipal elections declared by the royal government in February next year. They also expressed commitment to human rights and press freedom.
Meanwhile, organizing a press conference this evening following a meeting, the seven political parties also disclosed the 12-point understanding reached with the Maoists. nepalnews.com mk Nov 22 05
Full text of statement of Maoist chairman Prachanda (in Nepali)
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