Dispute in Army Integration (February 26-March 3)

Sunday, March 4, 2012
Written By: Bhuwan KC/ Tilak Pathak

The meeting of UCPN (M), Nepali Congress, and UML had given its top leaders the responsibility to bring a common proposal on the peace process and constitution-drafting and to find consensus on them through discussion, but at the end there was no agreement between the leaders of the three parties. In the meeting held at the residence of Congress president Sushil Koirala at Maharajgunj, the top leaders of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML presented their verbal proposals. UCPN (M) chairperson proposed to vacate the cantonments three weeks after the peace process moves forward. The leaders agreed to bring a written common proposal in the next meeting after discussing them in their respective parties.

The next meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML was held at the Lazimpat residence of UCPN (M) chairperson Dahal. The three leaders again presented verbal proposals. UCPN (M) chairperson Dahal proposed that the second tier in the proposed directorate should be held by the Maoist combatants. Dahal proposed that since this is a special case, the rank determination should be through political consensus. However, both Congress and UML expressed their disagreement at the proposal.

In the meeting, UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal listed the disputed issues in the constitution-drafting, and Congress president Koirala proposed that since the bills for Commission for Disappeared and Truth and Reconciliation Commission have been prepared, these commissions should be formed on the basis of Comprehensive Peace Agreement and past agreements. He further said that if needed the parliamentary sub-committee for reaching a consensus on the bill could consult the top leaders of the parties.

The parties continued the discussions despite no agreements. In the meeting held on March 3 at the Maharajgunj residence of Congress president Sushil Koirala, they discussed the highest rank to be offered to the Maoist combatants choosing integration into Nepal Army. UCPN (M) argued that if the Maoist combatants are represented in the proposed directorate, the army integration and peace process would be concluded easily. Congress and UML reiterated their previous position.
As there was no consensus despite frequent meetings and the integration process was stalled, Congress and UML leaders met the prime minister who is also a member in the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) and asked him to convene its meeting immediately. In the AISC meeting the next day, it decided to vacate 13 satellite cantonments within the next 10 days. The meeting also decided to store all the weapons at the main cantonment and gave the responsibility of security of these vacated cantonments to the Nepal Army and Armed Police, and the Secretariat was given the task of preparing the inventory of these cantonments.

In the meantime, the Constitutional Committee held its meeting. UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal and Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel informed the meeting of the discussions being held among the parties. The Constitutional Committee did not enter its agenda as there was no consensus among the main parties. The Constitutional Committee had given the parties until March 3 to resolve the disputed issues in the constitution-drafting. After they could not reach any consensus, the parties asked for additional time in the Constitutional Committee meeting of March 2. Then the meeting of the Constitutional Committee was postponed for nine days.

Major Developments

February 26 Top leaders of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML meet at the Maharajgunj residence of Congress president Sushil Koirala. The leaders present verbal proposals; UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal on the peace process, Congress president Koirala on formation of commission, and UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal on the common issues on constitution-drafting. UCPN (M) chairperson proposes to vacate the cantonments in three weeks.
Meeting of United Democratic Madhesi Forum concludes the Supreme Court guilty verdict on JP Gupta is an attempt to brush aside the Madhes issues.
Meeting of UCPN (M) officials forms a taskforce comprising of former Minister for Peace and Reconstruction Janardan Sharma and standing committee member Netra Bikram Chanda to suggest compensation package for YCL cadres.
February 27 A bomb goes off outside the central offices of the Nepal Oil Corporation. Three dead. Nepal Police forms a probe team.
Meeting of the Council of Ministers. The prime minister directs the Minister of Home Affairs to strengthen security.
Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai expresses confidence that the peace process will be concluded and the new constitution promulgated before May 27, 2012. States that the local bodies will have party mechanisms within a week.
Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel criticises UCPN (M) for not implementing past agreements and accuses them of trying to maintain the present status until May 27.
February 28 Meeting of the Constitutional Committee. UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal and Congress vice-president Ram Chandra Paudel inform the meeting of the discussion among the top leaders of the three parties.
The chairperson of the Constitutional Committee Nilambar Acharya states the disputed issues will be forwarded to the Constituent Assembly for decision.
AISC members from Congress and UML meet prime minister Baburam Bhattarai and ask him to call its meeting.
Former Maoist combatants in YCL demanding compensation suspend their protest programmes until March 5. They state they suspended the protest programmes as UCPN (M) is trying to address their demands.
February 29 Meeting of AISC decides to close 13 satellite cantonments within 10 days.
Meeting between UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and prime minister Baburam Bhattarai at the former’s residence in Lazimpat. They discuss party position on army integration.
The Election Commission starts the process of de-registering 12 political parties for not submitting their income-expenditure statements without any valid reasons.
CPN (UML) senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal accuses UCPN (M) of being the obstacle to the peace process and constitution-drafting.
March 1 UCPN (M), Congress, and UML leaders meet at the Lazimpat residence of UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The top leaders present verbal proposals. Discussion on the highest rank for Maoist combatants choosing integration. UCPN (M) demands the leadership of the proposed directorate.
Meeting of UML standing committee finalises report of the chairperson to be presented to the National Representative Council.
Meeting of the Public Accounts Committee of the legislature-parliament forms a five-member sub-committee under Rabindra Adhikari to investigate whether irregularities has taken place in the constitution of the fast-track to Tarai.
March 2 Meeting of the Constitutional Committee. UCPN (M), Congress, and UML ask for more time to discuss the disputed issues. The Committee is postponed for nine days.
Meeting of UML central committee to discuss the meeting of the National Representative Council.
Meeting between President Ram Baran Yadav and Congress parliamentary leader Ram Chandra Paudel at the presidential residence in Shital Niwas. Paudel states that the President expressed his concern at the delay in the peace process and constitution-drafting.
The Election Commission de-registers 10 political parties for not submitting their income-expenditure reports for the last three years without any valid reasons.
March 3 The top leaders of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML meet at the Maharajgunj residence of Congress president Sushil Koirala. Discussion on army integration. Congress and UML insist that the integration process cannot go beyond the established norms of the Nepal Army and the 7-point agreement. UCPN (M) demand leadership of the proposed directorate.
First death anniversary of founding leader of the Nepali Congress. Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai warns that if the peace process and constitution-drafting is not concluded thousands will give their lives. Congress president Sushil Koirala accuses UCPN (M) of creating obstacles to the peace process.
UML holds a press conference ahead of its meeting of the National Representative Council. UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal states that the meeting will create pressure for the peace process and constitution-drafting.