HEADLINE NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

‘Talks with Maoists should be held in transparent manner’

Kathmandu, Aug. 28 (RSS): Various political party leaders and University teachers are of the view that the Maoist problem which has emerged as a national problem can be resolved only through dialogue and such dialogue should be held in such a manner as to make sure that sensitive constitutional provisions concerning constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and people’s fundamental rights are not adversely affected.

They were speaking at a discussion programme on "the context of government-Maoist talks" organised by the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS) here today.

On the occasion, Nepali Congress central member Arjun Narsing K.C. Said it cannot be said that there are differences between the institution of the Crown, the government and the army over matters concerning the resolution of the Maoist problem.

The institution of the Crown is cooperating with parliament in protecting multi-party democracy and the government is committed to holding talks with the Maoists on condition that the talks will not adversely affect the constitutional provisions concerning constitutional monarchy, multi-party democracy and people’s fundamental rights, he said.

As per its expectation that the Maoists will help resolve the problem only through dialogue, the government has adopted a quite liberal attitude over building an environment congenial for peace talks, he said adding that the government has formed a dialogue committee and prepared the agenda for the talks only after holding consultations with all the political parties.

Ishwor Pokhrel of the CPN-UML said although the way the Maoists are moving ahead now has posed a threat to both democracy and nationalism, the government should make efforts to resolve the problem by holding dialogue in a transparent manner and refrain from backpedaling or any procrastination.

Stressing the need for the government to be active and clear minded, to speak out whenever there are any problems and help the people find a way out of the problems they are facing by consulting other political parties also, he said any delay in holding the peace talks would only push the country further towards crisis.

Prof. Ananta Poudel described the Maoist problem as a consequence of social pessimism and said that it is the people’s faith and commitment that will help institutionalise democracy.

Prof. Hari Sharma said that with the Maoists proclaming a "people’s government" in several districts the people are compelled to function under two systems. Such a situation is detrimental to national integrity, he added.

CNAS researcher Dhruba Kumar Shrestha, presenting a working paper on the government-Maoist talks, said that as protection of the people’s lives and property is the prime duty of any democratic government, His Majesty’s Government should have a clear idea about the benefits of peace talks and a clear policy on resolving the problem bearing in mind its responsibility towards the people.

Sociologist Dr. Krishna Bhattachan, Prof. S.K. Singh, Krishna Hachhethu and various other speakers criticized the government for announcing reform measures without doing proper home work, for failing to prepare on time a clear agenda for talks with the Maoists, fostering a status quoist attitude and paying no attention at all to the need for common commitment.

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