FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Cease-fire And After
The Wait Continues

By Prem N. Kakkar

THE glimpses for a return to lasting peace seems to be there with the underground leaders of the CPN-Maoist peace talks team making itself public. The almost seven-year long absence from public view has been broken. In fact, at the call and initiative of the government the cease-fire was declared with immediate effect on January 29 this year.

Adherence

In so far as the present situation is concerned, there has been adequate respect for the cease-fire from both the parties. That provided the breathing space for the people who were under much pressure prior to that. It was a big breakthrough and was welcomed by all.

The people living especially in the rural parts had much to rejoice about. It is difficult for development activities to move ahead at a rapid pace in the lack of peace and a sense of security. This provided the ground for many displaced people to return to their villages. But there is much more ground to be covered before real lasting peace can be ushered into the country.

It is true that labelling the Maoists as terrorists, fixation of prices on their heads and the red corner notice to arrest the Maoist leaders have been withdrawn with the declaration of the cease-fire, there are many other modalities to be fixed for the peace talks to go ahead. In between the Code of Conduct was agreed upon by the government and the Maoists to create conducive environment so that the peace talks could be held as early as possible. The 22-point Code of Conduct was signed On March 13, 2003, six weeks after the declaration of the cease-fire by Minister for Physical Planning and Works Narayan Singh Pun and Dr. Baburam Bhattarai on behalf of His Majesty's Government and the CPN (Maoist) respectively.

The implementation of the code of conduct was a necessity as it could give directions to creating the stage for the peace talks to be held. The Maoist peace talks team by making their public appearance seems to indicate that positive direction is being taken.

So far no date has been set for the peace talks. Setting a date for the goodwill talks is not easy as there has to be an agreement on the willingness to sit down as early as possible. But the Maoists have been saying that the government is acting very slowly. But, in fact, the government has all along been receptive in the need for sitting down for talks at the earliest. What is needed is political stability to give continuity to the all round development of the country, according to Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand while inaugurating the 50th general meeting of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce day before yesterday. This is a clear indication that the government wants an early start of the peace talks.

Everyone wants permanent peace to be restored in the country. The Maoists too must be sincere as well as the government. The adherence to the code of conduct is necessary by both the parties because that is the basis of finding ways and means to an amicable understanding.

The stage is set for the economic revival of the country which was in shambles for the past few years. The country belongs to the Nepalese people and it is the wish of everyone to see its prosperity which depends on how fast its economy records the desired progress. The path to be charted in the future should not get blocked just because of some small obstacle.

It is peace and stability that is necessary. The friends of Nepal want its prosperity and are willing to help. But there are matters wherein the Nepalese people themselves want to solve the problems. The people have become mature enough to realise what the needs are and how they can be fulfilled.
The Maoist leaders have come out and their reiteration for peace comes as a refrain. It is the translation of the genuine aspirations of the people into concrete results that matter. For this both the parties must work in the right direction according the national interests, the top priority.

Clarity

The agenda for the talks must be clear which means that there ought to be transparency. And it is also a trust on each other that counts. Allegations and counter-allegations do not work. This has to be understood.

The people are waiting for the day when everything moves in the right direction so that they will be able to continue their day to day life without any fear.

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