FEATURES NEWS THE RISING NEPAL (DAILY)

Code Of Conduct & Peace Process
Positive Developments

By Prem N. Kakkar

IT seems to have come a full circle. From one round of peace talks between the government and the Maoists. There was a time when the genuine aspirations of the people for peace and an end to violence was almost a step away from materialising. But now the situation has changed for the better. The violence that had escalated once has given way to a more optimistic note and that is lasting peace to the relief of all the people. This, of course, goes to the credit of the government that has been working relentlessly to bring about the present right note. The people in general now have something positive to look forward to and a peaceful life without fear. The daily life of the people is slowly coming back to normal.

Hope

Following the first round of talks, the violence that increased was unfortunate. Seven years in all and over 7,000 dead on both sides including innocent civilians made matters still worse. The days of destruction, hopefully, seems to be over with the emerging peace process moving in the right direction. It was the wish for all the government is moving in the right direction in everyone's interest.
In all this bleak scenario of the past, a ray of hope has emerged with the declaration of the cease-fire by the government and the Maoists. This itself is an indication that the days ahead will see a return of a semblance of normalcy the country over. Optimism is there. Howsoever, there is still a long way to travel. Miracles cannot take place overnight.

The government on its part is doing everything to create a conducive atmosphere for the peace talks to be held. This has come about with the realisation that force alone cannot solve every problem. For any problem a solution can be found based on mutual understanding by sitting at the table. The Maoists too have realised that talks are the best medium to sort out differences. As a setting-the-stage for talks, the government has already withdrawn the label of terrorists and the red corner notice issued against certain Maoist leaders. This gesture must receive reciprocity from the Maoists as well.

The government is serious enough to see that peace is restored in the country, which has suffered so much during the past seven years. The interests of the country and its people are greater than petty interests which this party or the other tends to see as uppermost.

For talks to be held there has to be consensus on the fact that both parties agree on the necessity to sit down together. The present events are an indication that at least there is agreement on the score that peace talks should be held. For this the modalities have also to be agreed upon. This has resulted on the code of conduct being formulated and to which both the government and the Maoists give assent to. Now that there is agreement on the code of conduct, the green signal is that the peace process will receive the momentum that is needed so urgently. The days ahead that is the peace talks will not be easy as it is imagined. There will be various issues that have to be dealt with. The right amount of caution and full homework is necessary to deal with the multi-faceted problem.
When the initial ground works of the peace works have almost been laid, it seems out of context when the needed cooperation and support from all is not forthcoming. Criticism for the sake of criticism is not good. Every party may have its own ways of looking how the problem can be resolved. Militancy at some particular juncture may be justified but not at every step.

The government has been sincere to see that the present opportunity must be tapped for a lasting peace to come about. The Maoists too have come out in the open and the focus it seems is that they feel violence cannot be the solution in the country's interest. If this had not been the case they would not have opted for talks. Except for a few demands, which cannot be fulfilled until the code of conduct comes into effect, the majority of the Maoists' demands have been met. This itself is the ground on which parleys can take place.

Visible

That the talks will lead to positive developments is the hope that every citizen of the Kingdom desires. This can be seen from the fact that since the cease-fire was declared a month and a half back positive developments are visible. The economy is showing signs of recovery. The only doubt that resides in the mind of everybody is "How long?". The doubts and skepticism have to be allayed through reassurance measures. It is sincerity that must be the highlight. Only then the peace talks with the Maoists will lead to a positive conclusion. The Maoists too have to be open-hearted and think for the overall interest of the country. If these fit into the right slot, there is no reason why the days ahead will not be fruitful.

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