 |
|
| Kathmandu, Thursday February 13, 2003 Falgun 01, 2059. |
|
Conducive atmosphere
The truce announced by
the government and the armed Maoists was exactly two weeks old yesterday, and still there
are no indications that the peace talks would start anytime soon. The pessimism about the
start of the talks comes because of the diametrically different views harboured by the
political parties, including the so-called mainstream parties. Our political parties
appear to be a confused lot, not knowing whether to put the horse first or the cart. It is
not without reason that a top Maoist leader was quoted in a newspaper as saying that the
political parties "do not even have a basic line, let alone a bottom line."
Given the fact that the political parties have no fixed or definitive stand on the
government-Maoist talks, delay in the start of talks can be expected, though this will be
a very unfortunate—and may be a disastrous—development. But until a settlement
to the Maoist problem is reached through talks, it is imperative that the Nepalese people
are spared of the deep and long-lasting pangs that the armed conflict inevitably brings to
the innocent people of the country. In this regard, the National Human Rights Commission
(NHRC) has done well to prepare a draft of the code of conduct to be observed by both the
government and the rebelling Maoists. The atmosphere for talks must be made conducive and
the people, during what can only be termed a transitional phase, must not suffer in any
way.
The NHRC has sent a
six-point draft of the code of conduct to both the parties in the conflict. Both sides
have to observe restraint and promote talks in a friendly atmosphere. There are reports
that the Maoists have been extorting money from people in different parts of the country.
The truce should not be used as an opportunity by the Maoists to regroup and advance
without much hindrance to more strategically important points. Meanwhile, the government
should be equally honest and sensitive about its response towards the Maoists’
logical demands. More often than not the necessary atmosphere for successful negotiations
is the first casualty. This is something a country like ours cannot afford. Hence, it is
necessary to seriously consider the need to live by a code of conduct. This will at least
ensure that the peace process will continue. There is no reason why the code of conduct
put forward by the NHRC should not be the starting base for a wider and more meaningful
code of conduct to be accepted by the government and the Maoists. It is in the interest of
this nation that everyone in the country whether he or she represents the monarchy,
political parties or the Maoists ensure that the present truce is not broken, and that the
peace talks take place as early as possible. All should ensure that the atmosphere
conducive to a successful conclusion of talks is not in any way vitiated. |
