Powell talks CA polls, NA-PLA integration with PM
US ambassador to Nepal Nancy J Powell met with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter's residence in Baluwatar on Wednesday morning.
A possible date that government may announce for the constituent assembly elections and integration of the Nepal Army (NA)and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were discussed during the meeting.
In response to a query regarding army integration, PM Koirala is learnt to have told Powell that the government may look into alternatives to incorporate the Maoist army into legal national force, but reiterated that under no circumstances will the PLA will be merged into NA.
The meeting between the US diplomat and the PM comes after statements from Nepal Army chief General Rookmangud Katawal and PM Koirala that Maoist combatants cannot be merged into a national army.
Meanwhile, a senior leader of the Maoists objected the statement by army chief and PM Koirala claiming it to be against the spirit of the understandings they reached earlier.
Talking to the BBC on Tuesday evening, Dr Baburam Bhattarai said the spirit of the past agreements was to change the 'Royal' Nepal Army and the People's Liberation Army to form a new national army force.
He said his party will talk to PM Koirala to resolve the dispute that surfaced lately. nepalnews.com ia Jan 09 08
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