September 15, 2001

Kathmandu: The government has categorically disagreed to the political agenda of Maoists’ on the abrogation of the present Constitution, establishment of a republican state in the country and the formation of an interim government.

Both the government and Maoists made public their perceptions about the second round of talks held on September 13, 14 and 15 in Bardia through separate press conferences. The two sides had arrived in Kathmandu this afternoon by the same flight. Both the sides have said that the talks were still on, but the date for the next round will be fixed through mutual understanding.

Speaking at a press conference at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Chiranjibi Wagle, coordinator of the government’s team for the talks, said that the government has expressed serious disagreement to the demands for the abolition of the present Constitution, establishment of a republican state in the country and the formation of an interim government.

At the press conference, other members of the government’s negotiating team, Mahesh Acharya, Bijay Kumar Gachhadhar, Chakra Prasad Bastola and Narahari Acharya were present.

Minister for Information and Communications Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta was also present.

Wagle said the Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 2047 was formed according to the wish of the people which bestowed the sovereignty of the country on the people and the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution could not be taken away under any pretext.

He said, “We have a clear view that the present Constitution is flexible enough to give an exit and solution to any problem that might arise, and the people have the right to make amendments and improvement in the Constitution through its representatives.”

On the Maoists’ demand for republic, Wagle said the people have given utmost importance to the institution of monarchy on the backdrop of the country’s historical, socio-cultural and geo-politics. The present constitution has also established and honoured the historical structure of the institution of monarchy. “We are committed to develop and consolidate the institution of monarchy in the country,” he said and added that the government was totally against the concept of republic, which aims to destabilise monarchy.

But Wagle stressed that the government would make public according to its records within one week the condition of those in the police custody, in prison and those called as missing by the Maoists. Wagle also said that it would proceed ahead for the release of those in prison with due procedure.

Wagle also said that the government was willing to make amendments to the Public Security Regulations to match with the Constitution and laws, but he said it was impossible to scrap the Armed Police Force.

Saying that the Armed Police Force has been formed under the Constitution to control violent activities, riots and for the protection of public places and border security, Wagle said it is not and will not be directed against any political front.

Wagle said the Integrated Security and Development Package was meant to give a sense of security and to assist the implementation of development programmes, ISDP will become null and void as soon as there is improvement in the peace and security situation and the development plans start rolling unhindered.

The Maoists demands also include the abrogation of the Public Security Regulations, saying it was aimed against their ‘People’s War’, withdrawal of the Integrated Security and Development Package.

However, the government side also put forth its view before the Maoists for the creating a congenial atmosphere for talks. They include the immediate stoppage of the use of arms, their transportation, exhibition, collection and looting. Similarly, the other points raised by the government team include the stoppage of the forceful resignation, locking up of government offices, forceful collection of donations and use of public and private vehicles under threat of intimidation.

The government side also demanded that the Maoist must also release the common people, police and security personnel, and workers of political parties kidnapped by the Maoists and those unaccounted for after being detained by the Maoists. The Maoists must refrain from holding mass meetings, rallies and others, which could disrupt the environment of talks, it said.

However, Wagle told the press that there are many things in the Maoists’ demands, which could be resolved through talks and dialogue.

“It would be wrong to think that it is only the Maoists who are concerned about the social and economic issues. These are the issues which the government and all the other political parties have raised.”

Wagle said they have only entered into the talks and there needs to be detailed discussions on the demands.

Answering a query about the Maoist’s rally of September 21, Wagle said that they have received information that some untoward incidents might happen at the rally.