Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has said Maoist combatants who want to be integrated in Nepal Army (NA) should give up their affiliation with the party and vow that they will not politicise the army.

In an interview with Indian news agency Press Trust of India (PTI) Sunday, PM Nepal said the Maoist combatants should renounce their affiliation with the party in order to maintain the national army's neutrality.

The character of the army cannot be changed, those wanting to be integrated have to change their character, PM Nepal said.

Terming army integration as the "most delicate" part of the peace process, PM Nepal said problems could arise during the process.

He also mentioned, the government is keen to ensure army remains neutral and professional and that there is no interference.

Nepal further said, the parties should decide on three important aspects before beginning the process of integration.

The number of Maoist combatants to be integrated, whether all those willing to be integrated fulfill the criteria and who gets priority -- women, dalits or madhesis -- should be decided before selection so that the army is seen as inclusive institution where all have participation, he said.

On constitution drafting, PM Nepal expressed confidence that the constitution will be drafted by the stipulated date, but said, the Unified CPN (Maoist) is to be blamed if that does not happen.

There are still two issues unresolved -- governance and federalism, Nepal said, adding if these are settled, the constitution can be finalised. "I am hopeful and positive, it can be done."

"If it is not done in due time, then the whole blame will be on Maoists," Nepal said adding, "That is why they will have to cooperate. They will have to give up extreme left thinking."

"Maoists are aware of complications. They have to take into consideration that it is they who raised the issue of Constituent Assembly elections and drafting of Constitution."

He said Maoists will have to "transform themselves so that people can believe that they are civil political party which has no private army, that they are democratic party observing democratic norms and values. Without that they cannot win the trust of people."

"Maoists must be sensitive to the timeliness and attitude of people," the Nepalese Prime Minister emphasised.

"If they talk of rebellion, capture of power or single-party monopoly, then people will think they still believe in authoritarianism. If they believe in authoritarianism and create chaos, then they will not be trusted by anyone," Mr. Nepal said. nepalnews.com