Kathmandu, December 20, 2006

The central committee meeting of the CPN-Maoist concluded today, emphasising the need to launch a nationwide campaign for a democratic republic, federal autonomy, revolutionary land reforms and an end to feudal land ownership practice.

At the end of the meeting held in Bhaktapur, Maoist spokesperson Krishna Bahadur Mahara told this daily that the party would come up with a final decision on the interim legislature and interim government based on suggestions floated by the central committee members and regional-level members. He said the party’s entire rank and file would be mobilised to strengthen its relations with the people and evaluate the mistakes the party made during the decade-long war and try its best to make constituent assembly elections a success.

Mahara said the central committee meeting also decided to mould the party organisations into civilian structure, keeping in mind the constituent assembly polls. He said there would be five commands handling political affairs in the five development regions, 14 zonal bureaus and other bodies to take care of the organisational issues outside the country. He said the party would launch a peaceful movement focusing on the CA polls.

On the government’s decision to appoint ambassadors, Mahara iterated that the appointments were a breach of agreements reached between the government and the Maoists.

Oli asks Maoists to abide by pacts

Damak, December 20, 2006

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, KP Sharma Oli, today said constituent assembly polls would not be possible if the Maoists refused to let policemen and VDC secretaries return to the villages.

Speaking at the inauguration programme of Pathivara FM here, Oli said, “The CA polls will surely be affected if the Maoists don’t allow the re-establishment of police posts and refuse to let VDC secretaries go back to the villages.” “VDC secretaries are responsible for making the voters’ lists.

How can the CA polls be held if they are not allowed to do their work?” Oli asked. Will Maoist militia update the voters’ list and make all necessary arrangements for the constituent assembly polls in the absence of VDC secretaries and other government officials in the villages, Oli asked. Stating that now was not the time to be diverted by minor differences, Oli stressed on the need to hold the constituent assembly elections by coming June.

No conspiracy against the CA polls will be successful now, Oli said. Pointing out that the present achievement was due to the united efforts of the political parties, Oli urged the Maoists to abide by their agreements. A new Nepal means not only the formation of a new government, but also an end to discrimination and inequality, Oli said.