Kathmandu, December 23:

CPN-UML leaders, led by acting general secretary Amrit Kumar Bohara, met Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter’s official residence this morning and asked him to move ahead through understanding and consensus for lasting peace and democracy.

UML standing committee members Jhala Nath Khanal and Bharat Mohan Adhikari and PM’s close aide Dr Shekhar Koirala and Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula were present during the meeting. “The government’s decision to appoint ambassadors in some capitals and a permanent representative in the Geneva-based UN mission and NHRC office-bearers has created misunderstanding among the parties concerned. Such decisions will affect the entire process initiated for lasting peace and total democracy,” Bohara told PM. Bohara said they informed the PM about his party’s stance that the ambassadorial appointments to the major capitals would not “represent the country according to the spirit of the Jana Andolan II”.

“We told the PM that most people appointed for ambassadors do not qualify for the posts and they also do not represent the Andolan’s spirit,” he said. It is also wrong on the part of the government to withdraw every decision it takes in the wake of strong street opposition, he said.

When asked about the PM’s reaction over their stance, Bohara said the PM claimed to have consulted Maoist chairman Prachanda and UML general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal before their appointments were decided. The PM is also learnt to have told the UML leaders that he wanted to resolve all the problems through consensus and understanding.

Meanwhile, UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari said PM Koirala might reconsider the government’s decision to appoint ambassadors and office bearers of the NHRC.

“My impression is that the PM is in a mood to reconsider it,” Adhikari said at a programme at the Reporters’ Club. He made this remark after meeting the PM this morning at Baluwatar, where the UML leaders asked the PM to withdraw the decision to maintain eight parties’ unity intact.

Co-joint general secretary of the NC Dr Ram Baran Yadav said the government would take appropriate decision on ambassadors only after a hearing by the parliamentary committee.

Dr Narayan Khadka of the NC (Democratic) said ambassadors’ appointment should have been made only after the formation of interim government.