Kathmandu, September 12, 2007

The CPN-Maoist leadership has invited leaders of the seven-party alliance, all fringe leftist parties and other groups involved in peaceful agitation for a roundtable conference beginning tomorrow at Hotel Malla.

CPN-Maoist’s central committee meeting held shortly after the fifth expanded meeting in the first week of August had decided to call a roundtable conference to discuss key issues raised by the party and other ethnic groups.

Although Gajurel claimed to have sent invitations to the major political parties, including the Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, leaders of the NC and the CPN-UML denied having any knowledge about the invitation. “I have no knowledge about the invitation,” CPN-UML standing committee member Amrit Kumar Bohara said, adding: “Objective of the roundtable is unclear. Relevance of the roundtable conference was over the moment dissolved House of Representatives was revived through the second Jana Andolan.” He said the seven-party alliance and the Maoists could hold a meeting regarding the implementation of the agreements reached since the signing of 12-point understanding.

Nepali Congress leader Chakra Prasad Bastola also denied having received any invitation from the Maoists about the roundtable. “Our party may not participate in the conference even if it receives the invitation. We want to settle all key issues through eight-party meetings, not from other processes.”

PLA fighter ready to shed fatigue for peace

Damak, September 12, 2007

Chhabi Limbu is a veteran Maoist People’s Liberation Army (PLA) guerrilla, but with a difference. He is ready to shed his combat fatigue, lay down the gun for good and live like a civilian for the sake of lasting peace and a democratic republic in the country.

Life in the camp here is not as edge-of-the seat as it was during the insurgency, but still he has his chores to do. Limbu’s day begins at 4 am. He goes for the drill and then does his exercises. The PLA soldiers are being schooled in sentry duty and political orientation as well. Limbu, a native of Oyam in Panchthar district, had wanted to join the British Gurkha regiment. He went to Pokhara to appear for a test but could not make the grade. He then opted to join the PLA.

Seemingly different in nature and temperament from most of the other PLA soldiers, Limbu said, “I am willing to live like a common man for the sake of lasting peace and democratic republic in the country.” He, however, disagreed with the United Nations’ DDR proposal (Disarmament, Demobilisation and Registration) for the PLA. “For years, we have waged an armed struggle. It will not be so easy to integrate the PLA personnel into the mainstream,” he said.