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VOL. 27, NO. 33, May 02, 2008 (Baishakh 20 2065 B.S.)
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Dancing With Donors
Maoist chief Prachanda meets with donors and diplomats to assure about their economic and development policies
By Sanjaya Dhakal
After holding a series of interactions and closed-door meetings with representatives of private sector business community, the comrades also met with representatives of donor organizations and diplomatic missions based in Kathmandu.
In a group discussion, facilitated by the United Nations, Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr. Baburam Bhattarai held a crucial interaction with the western community on April 24 at UN House in Pulchowk.
Emerging from the interaction, Prachanda told reporters that he had very fruitful discussions on questions ranging from their economic to development policy and from education to health sectors including aspects of constitution-writing and peace process.
"There are many questions in the western countries regarding our party's position about multiparty politics, peace, economic development and so on. We tried to convince them that we are aware of the (realities) of the 21st century," Prachanda said.
In the joint meeting, which was also participated by US ambassador to Nepal, Prachanda said he answered to queries from them. "I believe we tried to put forth our views regarding durable peace and economic development."
Responding to queries from media, Prachanda said that the decision on whether or not to extend the UNMIN will be taken before the first meeting of Constituent Assembly after holding talks among political parties.
"We have positively evaluated the role played by the UNMIN. We will discuss about its tenure with other parties and make a decision on that," he said.
Regarding the army integration issue, he said the process will proceed along with constitution-making exercise through a special committee.
"A special committee has been proposed on this regard. I believe this issue will be tackled along with the constitution making process," he said.
He clarified that monarchy will be removed from the first meeting of CA. "There is question about retaining any form of monarchy. It will be removed from the first meeting of CA," he said.
Refuting media reports that he has received any invitation from Indian officials to visit India, he said, "I have not received any invitation. But I have had talks with Indian officials."
The reports of his invitation had come in the wake of Maoist winning the election to become the largest party. Meanwhile, Prachanda has said that in the light of Constituent Assembly (CA) election, a new dimension should be explored in relations with India. "Our old policy on 1950 Treaty is still valid. It should be revoked and other agreements should be reviewed," he said.
"We believe that in the changed context, positive and constructive efforts should be made to take Indo-Nepal relations to new height," he said.
In a contradictory statement, Prachanda, however, said that his party had not yet renounced violence as a political policy. "Right now, I cannot renounce every kind of violence. We want to take the peace process to its logical conclusion and through this establish a model of peace and renounce reactionary violence," he said.
Earlier, in an interaction with traders, Prachanda had reassured the industrialists that there will not be problems due to trade unions once the new government under his party's leadership is formed. He said the new government will create conducive atmosphere for national and foreign investments.
Prachanda also said that the future government would promote domestic investment and welcome foreign direct investment in the country. "Maoists give first priority to the domestic investors but our party heartily welcomes foreign investors in the country," Prachanda said.
