Maoists welcome HoR declaration cautiously

Maoist supremo Prachanda has welcomed and supported Thursday's declaration by the House of Representatives (HoR) as a partial “victory of the 12-point understanding reached between the Maoists and the seven-party alliance and people's movement.

“Our party welcomes it and supports the declaration as a victory of the 12-point understanding and the Nepali people’s historical movement,” said a statement issued by Prachanda.

Stating that several declarations including declaring Nepal a secular state as demanded by Maoists has made his party proud, the Maoist chairman however said that the proclamation does not address many aspirations of the people.

He said the party feels “glorified” that some of the demands raised by his party have been addressed. “But the declaration has attempted to address the people’s desire of ending monarchy by politically limiting it as a ceremonial one,” Prachanda said.

He said it was silent over the issues of growing foreign interference, restructuring the state, self-determination, regional and ethnic autonomy and federal system, revolutionary land reforms and fundamental rights to education, health and employment.

Prachanda warned that the proclamation may be a serious ploy to overshadow talks, election of the constituent assembly and an overall progressive outlet.

He added that the declaration had tried to give credit to only to the alliance by not mentioning the significance of the 12-point pact.

He however said that his party would raise these and other issues for discussion among people and during talks with the government. nepalnews.com pb May 19 06

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