[That the President has set coming Wednesday as the deadline for a "consensus government" has apparently started having its effects. Though the implications have understandably not been made explicit, beyond the "deadline" the field may be opened up for a "majority government", as it had been till now. That must be having a sobering effect on the major players, particularly those who are likely to lose out in such a changed scenario. It is likely that they will try to encash their advantages before such a predicament takes over. And make necessary concessions in the process. But there is of course no guarantee that things won't again be botched up given the intricate pattern of clash of interests along party lines and also fuelled by personal ambitions.]
I/II. http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/1-top-story/7297-big-three-agree-to-complete-remaining-tasks-of-the-peace-process.html <http://www.nepalnews.com/main/index.php/news-archive/1-top-story/7297-big-three-agree-to-complete-remaining-tasks-of-the-peace-process.html>Big three agree to complete 'remaining tasks of the peace process'Sunday, 04 July 2010 11:01 The three major parties - Unified CPN (Maoist), NC and CPN (UML) - have agreed to implement the three-point agreement of May 28 in which they had agreed to complete all the remaining tasks of the peace process. The May 28 agreement had led to the extension of Constituent Assembly's term. The three parties who are scrambling for the leadership of the new government following the resignation of the Madhav Kumar Nepal led government reached to this agreement in a meeting held at the Constituent Assembly (CA) hall in New Baneshwor on Sunday. Emerging from the meeting, NC Parliamentary Party (PP) leader Ram Chandra Poudel said that the three parties have agreed to complete all the remaining tasks of the peace process as per the three-point agreement. He said there was also discussion on the formation of State Restructuring Commission (SRC) and finalising the calendar for events for constitution drafting between the leaders of the three parties during the meeting. Last week, the three-parties had already reached to an agreement, in principle, to form the SRC at the earliest possible. Poudel said the decision on finalising the calendar of events for constitution drafting will be taken after the three party holds a discussion with CA chairperson Subash Nemwang over the issue on Monday. Poudel was accompanied by NC central member Ram Sharan Mahat, UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal stood alongside his senior party leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Maoist vice-chairman Naryan Kazi Shrestha and senior Maoist leader Dev Gurung were present at the meeting. However, there was a conspicuous absence of Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, although he was expected to be present at the meeting. II. http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2010/07/03/top-story/allies-terms-for-maoists/210069/ KATHMANDU, JUL 03 - With the race for leadership into the fourth consecutive day, flimsy alignments have surfaced in Nepal’s confused political arena. Yet, there was no indication that the parties would form a national consensus government by Wednesday, the deadline given by the president. The Nepali Congress and CPN-UML won’t tie up with the Maoists unless the party agrees to completely shed its arms and army. With this, the chance for the so-called left alignment appears slim. This transpired in course of the Maoists’ first round of consultations with major and fringe political parties, including Madhesi parties. Most of the parties stressed on the Maoists’ “transformation into a civilian party”. A UCPN (Maoist) talk team led by party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal is palavering with NC, UML, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum (MFJ) and other fringe parties. UML told the Maoists that a consensus government would not happen without sorting out contentious issues. “A new agreement addressing the vital issues of peace process and Maoists’ commitment to a democratic constitution only can be the basis of a national consensus government,” said UML Secretary Bishnu Poudel. UML said the Maoists should act for the integration of their combatants. NC said the Maoist leadership would be unacceptable unless the party implements past pacts. “A Maoist-led government is not possible because it has not implemented past pacts, including returning confiscated property and disbanding the paramilitary YCL as well as failing to come up with a clear plan on integration,” said NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Paudel. He stressed it was NC’s turn to lead as both the Maoists and UML have been tested. UML, on the other hand, has not given up its claim for the leadership reasoning that it “played a key role in paving the way for a national consensus government by urging the prime minister to resign.” MJF Chairman Upendra Yadav urged the Maoists to forge consensus and said he would stand against any majority government. Responding to NC and UML’s conditions, the Maoists said the formation of a new government should be unconditional. “We must lead a consensus government as we are the largest party in the constituent assembly. The president, constituent assembly chairman and chairman of the constitutional committee are from NC and UML. So, the next prime minister should be from our party,” said Maoist Vice Chairman Babu Ram Bhattarai after the meeting with UML leaders. -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth?hl=en-GB.
