DPM Oli defends nominations of ambassadors; Maoists to continue protest
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs KP Sharma Oli has defended the government’s decision to nominate ambassadors to 14 diplomatic missions, saying that the "Maoist perspective" was also taken into account while making the nominations.
“It is not that all the activities of the government should stop after the negotiations with them [Maoists]. Besides, there was discussion with them on this issue,” Oli told the state-owned Radio Nepal, adding, “The government has now decided to appoint 14 ambassadors also taking into account the Maoist perspective.”
He was speaking to the official radio station hours after the 6-hour general strike called by the Maoists in the Kathmandu Valley and few other places, in protest against the government decision, ended at 4:00 pm.
Oli said, “No CPN (Maoist) leader has spoken a single word with me regarding the appointments as yet. There is nothing they should feel sore about.”
According to him, when DPM Amik Sherchan said at yesterday’s special cabinet meeting that the Maoists should have been taken into confidence before naming the ambassadors, Prime Minister GP Koirala clarified that he had talked with the Maoist side regarding the appointments.
Sherchan had walked out of the cabinet meeting opposing the nominations.
While the Maoists said the nomination of ambassadors and appointment of members at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) smacked of conspiracy against the recent agreements, some leaders of the seven-party alliance and MPs also resented the idea of making key appointments before the formation of an interim government inclusive of the rebels.
Meanwhile, Maoist chairman Prachanda in a statement today claimed that the appointment and transfer of officials and relocation of police posts were "intended at appeasing the feudal elements" and that such decisions would sabotage the political agreements between the SPA and his party.
He also announced protest programmes and a publicity campaign at the local level from December 20 to December 30 and a two-day nationwide general strike (December 31- January 01) to protest the government decisions. nepalnews.com mk Dec 19 06
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