PM hints at prolonged summit talks

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has hinted that the upcoming summit talks between the ruling seven-party alliance (SPA) and the Maoists could take some time to reach common understanding.



Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala (File Photo)

Talking to media persons in his hometown Biratnagar before returning to Kathmandu Saturday morning, Koirala said there was “no guarantee that we will be able to reach agreement very soon”.

Though no timetable has been fixed, Koirala yesterday said the summit meeting could resume as early as Sunday.

While confronting the media at his Biratnagar residence today, the Prime Minister also reiterated his stance that the fate of the monarchy should be decided by the constituent assembly, not by a referendum.

“If we go for referendum international pressure could influence the election in favour of the King. That will also encourage the royalists to become active,” he said.

He further said the Nepali Congress would announce its agenda for the constituent assembly election “when time comes”.

On a question about the increasing pressure for nationalisation of the royal family’s properties, Koirala made it clear the government would not nationalise the properties owned by the current King but the properties owned by late King Birendra would be nationalised and converted into a trust. The government, according to him, has been trying to keep the details of the land owned by King Gyanendra.

Koirala returned to Kathmandu at around 11:00 this morning. He had gone to Biratnagar on Tuesday to celebrate the Tihar festival with his family. nepalnews.com ia Oct 28 06

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