Just three days before the major protest programme announced by the seven opposition parties in the country, officiating head of the European Union (EU) in Nepal, Pauli Mustonen, has said there is a strong risk of political collapse in Nepal unless all involved moved quickly to address the country’s problems effectively.

Speaking at an interaction organised by the New Media Club in the capital, Kathmandu, on Monday, Charge d’ affairs at the Finnish embassy in Kathmandu, Pauli Mustonen, said, “The continuing inability of stakeholders to enter into constructive dialogue towards peace has wide-ranging repercussions on Nepal’s standing in the international community.”

Expressing dissatisfaction over the detention of leaders of political parties and rights activists and restrictions over media and freedom of expression in the country, Mustonen said, “In several statements, the EU has demanded the release of political leaders and other activists that have been detained arbitrarily and without trial and also removal of the severe restrictions that have been imposed by the government on media and freedom of expression,” adding, “These actions undermine the government’s credibility in its claim to restore peace and democracy and they deepen further the mistrust between different actors.”

The EU earlier welcomed the efforts of the seven political parties to bring Maoists into the mainstream politics.

“The EU recognises the efforts of the political parties to draw the Maoists into the political mainstream and welcomes the statements by the political parties urging the Maoists to renounce violence,” Mustonen said, adding, “On-going Maoist violence undermines the cause of peaceful movement and makes it easier for opponents of political engagement to justify their refusal to engage. We, therefore, urge the Maoists to resume a ceasefire, and to renounce violence permanently.”

“The EU policy towards Nepal aims at de-escalation of violence, transition of multi-party democracy and an inclusive and comprehensive peace process involving all stakeholders (especially the King, political parties and the Maoists),” he added.

He also urged the royal government and the Maoists to call ceasefire to build necessary confidence for a political solution to the conflict.

He also asked the Maoists to assure that their arms have to be put permanently beyond use if political settlement is to be achieved.

“Without such a demonstration nobody in the country or in the international community will give their claimed conversion to democracy any credibility. And if it becomes clear that the Maoist are unwilling to move forward into a meaningful peace process and an outcome based on multi-party democracy, all of us will have to draw the appropriate conclusions,” Mustonen added. nepalnews.com pb Apr 03 06