Success of peace talks depends on Prime Minister’s stance: Gurung

One of the members of the Maoist talks team, Dev Gurung, has said that the success of the ongoing summit talks between the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists will depend on the stance of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala on the issue of establishing democratic republic in the country.

Maoist central leader and talks team member Dev Gurung speaking at an interaction programme...

Speaking at an interaction at the Reporters’ Club on Wednesday, leader Gurung said that if the Nepali Congress and Prime Minister Koirala agrees for the establishment of democratic republican set up in the country, all outstanding issues of the talks will be resolved within a hour.

Gurung also revealed that Tuesday’s summit talks was adjourned till Thursday as per the request of PM Koirala. “The meeting was postponed after Prime Minister Koirala said that he would bring a new proposal about the fate of monarchy in the next meeting and asked to adjourn the meeting till Thursday.”

At a time when management of the Maoists’ arms is considered as a major hindrance for the success of peace talks, leader Gurung said that management of Maoist arms is a technical issue and it would be resolved immediately after setting the political agendas.

He further said that Maoists are ready to lock their arms if ruling seven political parties display a clear stance on the contentious issues of monarchy, national referendum and constituent assembly.



General secretary of NC Ram Chandra Poudel (File Photo)

Speaking at the same programme, general secretary of Nepali Congress (NC) Ram Chandra Poudel made it clear that NC will not stand in favour of monarchy during the election of the constituent assembly or the referendum.

Stating that people’s verdict on the issue of monarchy is acceptable to NC, leader Poudel said that the Congress is in favour of restoring sustainable peace in the country and peaceful transformation of the conflict.

He urged the Maoists to show flexibility in Thursday’s summit talks to give logical end to the ongoing peace process. He refuted allegations that the peace process was delayed due to NC, adding, “If some leaders says so, that is their irresponsible behaviour.”

Stating that Maoists acts are not supportive for holding the elections of the constituent assembly, Poudel warned that the proposed elections of the constituent assembly would be delayed if Maoists continued such acts.

He also asked Maoists not to create environment of fear in the villages.



General Secretary of NC (Democratic), Bimalendra Nidhi (File Photo)

Similarly, General Secretary of NC (Democratic), Bimalendra Nidhi also urged Maoists to be flexible in the issue of arms management for the success of peace talks and to hold the election of the constituent assembly in a free and fair manner.

He further said that separation of Maoist armies and weapons before the election of the constituent assembly is a must to hold the election in a free and fair manner.

He informed that the NC (D) has proposed to develop a model for arms management by representatives of ruling seven political parties, Maoists and the UN team in Nepal.

Speaking at the same programme, leader of Leftist Front, one of the constituents of the ruling seven party alliance, Sita Ram Tamang, said that Thursday’s talks will be decisive if Maoists agrees to accept the five point agreement of the letter sent to the UN for arms management and NC agrees to go for the democratic republic. nepalnews.com pb Oct 11 06

Have your say ! (Registration required)