Maoists to join interim govt. only after `decommissioning of arms’: PM Koirala

July 31, 2006
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Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has told the visiting UN mission that Maoist rebels would not be included in the interim government before they are disarmed and urged the world body to help in the management of arms of the rebels, according to reports.

During his meeting with the high level UN assessment mission led by Staffan de Mistura, Prime Minister Koirala said that the letter sent to the global body by the government seeking its cooperation in Nepal peace process is the official view of the government.

Maoist supremo Prachanda, however, wrote to the UN expressing serious reservation over the content of government’s letter to UN.

According to reports, de Mistura demanded the government’s clear view about the peace process and the UN role in Nepal peace process.

Team leader of UN assessment mission to Nepal, Staffan de Mistura talking to the media after meeting Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at his official residence at Baluwatar in the capital, Monday, July 31 06. nepalnews.com

Reports quoted de Mistura as saying that the discussion with the Prime Minister was very fruitful and added that the mission would decide on the UN assistance to Nepal after getting clear view from both the sides.

Earlier, the UN team led by de Mistura also held discussion with the top leaders of Maoists and demanded their [Maoists’] view about UN help in Nepal’s peace process.

Likewise, the team led by Mistura also held discussion with the taskforce of the ruling seven political parties.

The taskforce asked the UN team for arms management and to keep the Nepal Army in the barracks and the Maoist army in camp under UN monitoring.

The UN team had asked the government and the Maoists to reach a consensus on the issue of arms management.

The UN team led by de Mistura is arrived in Kathmandu last Thursday at the invitation of the Nepal government to assess how the world body could help Nepal’s peace process and “arms management during the proposed elections for the constituent assembly.”