First Deuba cabinet meet urges settlement with Maoists

July 26, 2001
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Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s first cabinet meet Thursday said his government urged security forces to use restraint to find a negotiated and peaceful solution to a communist insurgency that has claimed at least 1,800 lives in nearly six years.

The new government ordered its security forces to observe restraint and called on rebels to stop even stray incidents on violence as a member of the ruling Nepali Congress party was murdered by insurgents in Janakpur Wednesday.

Deuba said his call for an immediate cessation of hostilities by Maoists after begin elected new government head Sunday replacing Girija Prasad Koirala was “positive from the people and Maoists.” “Peace is essential for development and democracy. The cycle of violence and destruction must end. There can be no development without peace,” Deuba told parliament in his first address to the legislature Thursday after being elected Nepal’s head of government for the second time in nearly four years.

“The government will sincerely pursue a policy of a negotiated settlement to the issue and create an atmosphere for peace,” he said. He asked Maoists to eschew even random violence being reported after the temporary suspicion of clashes earlier this week. “There should be an end to violence and destruction ,” he told parliament.

Deuba admitted the Maoist problem was a “by-product” of economic and social national issues. Despite the announcement of the cessation of hostilities, there have been no further developments from the government or Maoists. Deuba told parliament he will seek a problem to the Maoist issue on a national consensus involving all political parties. Deuba’s initial initiative has been hailed by all national political parties.

King Gyanendra formally installed Deuba as prime minister Thursday morning. Deuba  administered the oath of office and secrecy to his 12 cabinet colleagues in the presence of the King after his formal installation as head of Nepal’s new government. The entire cabinet paid floral tributes to martyrs at a memorial at Tundikhel before beginning work.