Top leaders’ meeting inconclusive; next meeting Friday

A meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties held Thursday afternoon to find a way out of the current political stalemate ended inconclusively.

According to C.P Mailani, general secretary of the CPN (Marxist Leninist), the meeting held at Baluwatar lasted just ten minutes and didn't discuss any of the issues raised by the Maoists.

“At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Koirala informed that the eight-party alliance has now become seven-party alliance after the unification between Nepali Congress and Nepali Congress (Democratic) and emphasised on elections on the stipulated time,” Mainali explained, “There was no formal discussion on the 22-point Maoist demands.”

He said top leaders would again meet on Friday to iron out the differences and try to reach consensus on the two major demands of the Maoists – announcement of republic from the parliament and fully proportional election system.

Prior to the top-level meeting, Koirala had held separate and joint parleys with Maoist chairman Prachanda and CPN (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal.

Sources said the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist) and the UML have reached understanding to pass a commitment proposal for republic from the parliament.

However, Prime Minister Koirala has reiterated that the NC is not ready for fully proportional election system. nepalnews.com mk Sep 27 07

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