Seven party alliance meeting discussing agendas for "summit talks"

The meeting of the top leaders of the ruling seven party alliance is discussing the agendas for the summit talks between the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists scheduled for Thursday.

According to one of the participants, the meeting is discussing issues of finalizing the draft interim constitution submitted by the Interim Constitution Drafting Committee and other agendas to be presented during the summit talks.

The meeting, which is underway at the Prime Minister’s residence at Baluwatar, is also discussing the issue of Maoist arms management, the main issue of dispute among the ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists. The Maoists have been saying that the issue of arms management should be resolved with the political issues, while the ruling seven party alliance are saying that the rebels’ arms should be managed before political issues.

According to reports, the agenda finalised by the meeting will be taken up for final discussion by the government on Tuesday.

The Cabinet will endorse the agenda concerning a "political decision" which will be announced after the summit talks with the Maoists on Thursday.

According to reports, discussions were held on the fate of monarchy in new Nepal, the UN role in Nepal peace process and the structures of the interim legislature, but these issues were yet to be finalized as differences surfaced among the seven party alliance in these issues.

Top leaders of the ruling seven party alliance except chairman of Nepal Workers’ and Peasant’s Party Narayan Man Bijukchhe are participating in the meeting.

The ruling seven party alliance and the Maoists had held the first high level talks on June 16, and had made an eight point agreement.

Thursday’s summit talks is expected to dwell on the issue of finalizing interim constitution and forming an interim government with the Maoists to hold the elections of the constituent assembly at a later date. nepalnews.com pb Sep 25 06

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