Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal alias Prachanda has said that the latest eight-point agreement between the seven party alliance and the Maoist was the improved form of the 12-point agreement reached on November 22.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda talking to journalists for the first time publicly after the summit talks between the govt. and the Maoists at the prime minister’s residence Friday evening, June 16 06. nepalnews.com

Maoist Chairman Prachanda talking to journalists for the first time publicly after the summit talks between the govt. and the Maoists at the prime minister’s residence Friday evening, June 16 06. nepalnews.com
Addressing a press meet at Attariya of Kailali on Friday Prachanda urged party leaders to remain alert claiming that conspiracies were being hatched to break the eight-point agreement between seven political parties and the Maoists.

He said, “India and the United States are trying to break the agreements.”

He refuted allegations that he had some secret agreement with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala before the high level talks between the top leaders of the seven party alliance and Maoist Supremo Prachanda. “I asked about the Prime Minister’s health. We talked about the eight-point agreement. We talked about how to respect people’s determination for peace,” Prachanda said.

He also added that the people’s liberation army and Nepalese Army could be united before elections to the constituent assembly after forming an interim government following the adoption of an interim constitution.

He also claimed that the people’s liberation army was committed to abide by political decision.

Prachanda did want to react to the comment made by the army on his last week’s remark. He just said, “I have not understood the remark clearly. I do not like to comment on it.”

The Nepalese Army expressed reservation over the statement made by Maoist Supremo Prachanda during the joint press conference held after high level talks between the seven party alliance and Maoists last Friday at Prime Minister’s residence Baluwatar.

Prachanda alleged that Nepali Army had done nothing good except “murdering people and raping Nepali women.” The top rebel leader further said since the Nepali Army could not fight with India, China or the US, it should be reduced to around 20,000 from its present strength of 90,000.

In a statement issued on Thursday, spokesman of the Nepali Army, Brigadier General Nepal Bhusan Chand, said Nepali Army was seriously concerned over what it called objectionable comments and remarks made by the rebel leader “during the recent special government programme at an important venue which was telecast live all over the country and attended by top political leaders.”

On budget management, he said, “We are accused of extorting cash. If we have to discontinue collecting donation, a budget should be allocated for us also.”

Addressing the same press meet, another Maoist leader Dr. Babu Ram Bhattrai said that there were no inner conflicts in the party anymore.