Home Minister and coordinator of the government’s talks team, Krishna Prasad Sitaula, has ruled out the possibility of the Maoists joining an interim government before the management of arms.

Home Minister and coordinator of government?s talks team, KP Sitaula, speaking on the issue of arms management before the formation of an interim government at a program in Kathmandu Saturday, June 24, 06.nepalnews.com

Home Minister and coordinator of government’s talks team, KP Sitaula, speaking on the issue of arms management before the formation of an interim government at a program in Kathmandu Saturday, June 24, 06.nepalnews.com
“Maoists will not be brought to interim government before the weapons are managed. At the moment the government and the Maoists are in homework on managing the weapons and the armies” Sitaula said speaking at a program organised by the Reporters’ Club in the capital Saturday.

He said preparations were underway to formally request the United Nations for its involvement in arms management and monitoring of the ceasefire but “solution to the political problem will be found from within the country”.

The Home Minister’s comment comes at a time when some leaders of the seven-party alliance (SPA) are criticising the recent 8-point agreement following summit talks between Maoist supremo Prachanda and SPA leaders saying the pact remains mum on the Maoists’ weapons and the army.

The UN has expressed readiness to supervise the armies of the state and the Maoists and manage the arms but has said formal request for that is necessary.

Speaking in Kathmandu Friday, UN assistant secretary general and deputy executive director of the UNICEF, Kul Chandra Gautam, said it would take few months for the UN to make internal preparations before engaging in Nepal’s peace process.