National 4 (Spotlight Weekly)

‘The Govt Is Awaiting A Formal Letter From The Maoists’

— GORE BHADUR KHAPANGI

Minister for Women, Children and Social Welfare GORE BHADUR KHAPANGI is one of the senior ministers in the present cabinet pleading for a peaceful resolution of the Maoist problem. Khapangi, a former communist leader, is the chairman of a party championing the cause and rights of ethnic groups. Khapangi spoke to BBC Nepali Service on the possibility of dialogue following the recent Maoist assaults on Jumla and Gurkha districts. Excerpts:

Will the government close the door to dialogue after the recent attacks?

I don't think the recent attacks on the two districts will close the door to dialogue.

Have the attacks pushed back the possibility of dialogue?

No, I don't think so. We are continuing our efforts. The government cannot react negatively to the Maoists just because of the latest assaults. We have been doing our homework and the process for dialogue has been going on. By attacking the two districts, the Maoists may be indicating they want the government to initiate dialogue as soon as possible.

Do you think the attacks have added pressure on the government to further mobilize the security personnel to force the Maoists to the negotiating table?

As far as the security actions are concerned, they are regular duties of the state. The Maoists, too, have not said that they will suspend their attacks. These are day-to-day activities. However, the government has been making extensive preparations for dialogue.

How can the people believe the government is preparing for dialogue and making informal contacts with the Maoists after the recent attacks?

If this government had been set up with the specific agenda to hold dialogue, then it would have been held soon after its formation. The government has a list of other tasks. Therefore, it will take a few more days to start the dialogue. The Maoists had held dialogue with the previous government. However, they could not succeed even after three rounds. Keeping all this in mind, the government is seriously doing its homework to start a meaningful dialogue. As far as assuring the people that dialogue will take place is concerned, the government is coherent in its approach, unlike its predecessors, which had differences of opinion among ministers. The government has already opened its door. The Maoists, too, I think, are doing their homework.

The statements by Maoist leaders demand a round-table conference with King and political parties, a constituent assembly and interim government to hold the elections. Is it possible for the government to consider these demands positively?

Such statements are coming out in newspapers, but how credible are these demands? The Maoists must formally declare what they want. What we want is a written letter from Nepal Communist Party-Maoist through the channel opened by the government. The government's headquarters is in Singha Durba and the door of Singha Durbar is open to them. We don't know where the headquarters of the Maoists is. If the Maoists send a letter or other formal documents to the government, we will immediately consider it. Of course, the Maoists, too, say that they are open for dialogue but we don't know where their door is.

The Maoists have been demanding elections for a constituent assembly. Is the present government ready to discuss this?

There has always been a debate over elections for a constituent assembly. Even political parties that are not in the present government hold different opinions. There must be clear points of view regarding the constituent assembly. Why do we need a constituent assembly? What articles do we need to amend in the constitution? Whether the constitution, which was formulated by our one voice, needs any change or needs to be ratified through the assembly? These things must be clear when we bring the issue to negotiating table.

The previous government said it was ready for dialogue provided the Maoists surrendered their arms. Does this government hold the view of its predecessor?

We have never placed any condition for dialogue. We have just opened our door. Once the other party responds to our call, we will propose our point of view.

What is the stand of the present government regarding the Maoists? Are they terrorists or a political force?

This is not a government of any single party. This government includes three parties, the RPP, National Janmukti Party and Nepal Sadbhvana Party. If we go through the statement of the prime minister, it indicates that the term used yesterday may change tomorrow. Our party believes that the Maoist problem is of a political nature. In that point of view, you can find difference of opinion. Opinions can change from time to time.

Many parties believe that you, as a former communist leader, have many friends in the Maoist party. It is said that you have been included in the government to establish contacts with the Maoists. What do you say?

I have nothing to say to those who think that I have been appointed to settle the Maoist problem. If you read the directives of His Majesty King, one of our mandates is to bring peace in order to hold the elections. It is our common mandate to restore law and order.

Don't you think your background would help?

It would be a good thing for our colleagues if my past would help bring peace.

In the present circumstances, how long do you think it will take to end the Maoist problem?

I have seen the situation changing. His Majesty the King is meeting with different political leaders. The parties are also discussing the issue. Keeping in mind all these developments, I can say that the government will develop a concrete agenda for dialogue. And it will come out very soon.