General Secretary of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML)—a major coalition partner- Madhav Kumar Nepal, has warned that the on-going conflict may further escalate if the Maoists did not take any initiative in the direction of peace.

Addressing a press meet at the UML headquarters at Balkhu on Thursday, UML leader Nepal said his party was completely focused on the issue of restoring peace in the country. Briefing the journos on the decisions taken by the 10-day long marathon meeting of the UML’s central committee that concluded Wednesday, Mr. Nepal said the party had renewed its call upon the rebels to return to the table of negotiations.

He said his party has also urged the government to move forward with a sense of urgency and explore all possibilities in order to create an environment for peace and dialogue. The meeting had drawn a lot of media attention amid speculation that the party could decide to withdraw from the coalition “for failing to meet its objectives.”

The UML had decided to join the four-party coalition five months ago to further correct ‘regression’ in the country and to work towards restoring peace by holding dialogue with the Maoist rebels.

“Though we are not fully satisfied with the performance of the government, there is no question of leaving the government mid-way as a lot needs to be done,” said Nepal.

Responding to a question, UML leader Nepal said his party did not have any reservation if the reinstatement of the parliament could help evolve consensus in the country. When asked about India’s reported reservation over the involvement of the United Nations or other international agencies in the Nepal conflict, the UML leader said nobody should have any reservation if the involvement of the UN or any third party helped in the resolution of the conflict.

General Secretary Nepal also appealed to the Maoists not to indulge in activities like blocking the highways and imposing blockade that added to the woes of the general people. “Such activities would harm the Maoists themselves,” he added.

The UML central committee meeting has demanded with the government to immediately scrap the amended Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance 2004 that allows local authorities to keep people into `preventive detention’ for up to one year without judicial trial.

The meeting has also asked the government to inform the public on the reports of alleged encroachment of Nepali territory by the Indian authorities. The UML has called upon all democratic and patriotic parties and forces to become aware of what it said ‘conspiracies against democracy’ and protest such activities.

The party also called upon the Maoists to stop their what it said ‘totalitarian, undemocratic and terrorist activities’ against people and political workers on the basis of their faith.

The UML general secretary said his party would soon launch a nation-wide peace campaign to force both the government and rebels to return to the table of negotiations. He said the situation in the country was ‘very grave’ and that his party would take measures to bring the country out of this stalemate. He did not elaborate. nepalnews.com by Dec 23 04