Peace Process obstructed again (December 18-24)

Sunday, December 25, 2011
Written By: Bhuwan KC/ Tilak Pathak

After the regrouping of the Maoist combatants, the Army Integration Special Committee (AISC) submitted a timetable for integration into the Nepal Army, voluntary retirement, and rehabilitation of the combatants; however, the peace process could not move forward after disagreement among UCPN (M), Congress, and UML.

The three parties could not agree on vacating the Maoist cantonments. Congress and UML wanted to provide compensation to those choosing voluntary retirement and rehabilitation and vacate the cantonments, but UCPN (M) insisted that the cantonments can be vacated only after completion of voluntary retirement, rehabilitation, and integration. Neither camp budged from their positions.

The parties could not agree on the number and ranks of the combatants choosing integration. UCPN (M) wanted to increase the number of combatants for integration more than agreed as more had opted for integration. But Congress and UML were not ready to increase the number. Though it was decided that the senior leaders would decide on the number and rank of the integrated combatants, a meeting could not take place. Since there was no agreement among the parties, the meeting of the AISC had to be postponed.

In the meantime, Congress and UML had a separate meeting, and the meeting concluded that UCPN (M) was to blame for the obstruction in the peace process and if there was no immediate progress on the peace process, prime minister Baburam Bhattarai should resign. The meeting also concluded that no progress has been made on the agreement of November 1, 2011, to return captured land and rehabilitate the combatants. The meetings of the standing committee of UML and parliamentary party of Congress accused UCPN (M) as being the main reason behind the peace process not moving forward.

A team of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) led by its chief Nanda Kishor Pun met UCPN (M) chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and prime minister Baburam Bhattarai regarding obstruction in the peace process. However, there was no atmosphere among the major parties to discuss and reach a consensus on the issue. This internal dispute of UCPN (M) also affected constitution-drafting. Mohan Vaidya faction of UCPN (M) tried to reverse the decisions reached the by the sub-committee for dispute resolution of the Constitutional Committee by raising objections. They argued that the agreement to include ‘people’s war’ in the explanatory note of the constitution was an individual decision of the chairperson and not the party.

Major Developments

December 18 Congress issues an ultimatum to the government to declare Tarun Dal, Chitawan, president Shiva Paudel a martyr and withdraw all cases against him by 3 pm. Calls for Nepal banda the next day citing non-fulfilment of their demands.
Meeting of the sub-committee for dispute resolution. Parties agree that federal states can bring forward motion of amendment of the constitution in the central parliament. They also agree on proportional and inclusive principle on nomination of ambassadors and special representatives.
Meeting of UCPN (M), Congress, and UML. Disagreement among the parties regarding discharging of combatants choosing voluntary retirement and rehabilitation from the cantonments. Congress and UML insist on immediate emptying of the cantonments by discharging those choosing voluntary retirement and rehabilitation by providing them the right package. UCPN (M) maintained that the cantonments can only be emptied once voluntary retirement, integration, and rehabilitation is complete.
UML general secretary and member of Army Integration Special Committee Ishwor Pokharel accuses the prime minister of being behind the reason for delay in discharging the combatants choosing voluntary retirement.
The struggle committee of the discharged PLA combatants announces protest movements alleging non-hearing of its demands and seeking implementation of previous agreements.
Meeting of UCPN (M) party officials discusses the disputes in the constitution. Mohan Vaidya faction puts pressure not to back away from party decisions.
President Dr Ram Baran Yadav draws attention of the parties to draft the constitution and complete the peace process in the next five months and also asks the parties to not invite a situation of having to go beyond the judgement of the supreme court on extension of the Constitution Assembly.
UML Valley Special Coordination Committee organises drive for party expansion and consolidation drive. Chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal, vice-chairperson Bamdev Gautam, general secretary Ishwor Pokharel, senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal direct department chiefs to take the message of unity to the local level.
December 19 Congress-called Nepal banda affects public life. 10 vehicles and six ambulances are vandalised in the valley and outside.
In a press conference, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs Shankar Prasad Koirala announces the process of withdrawing criminal proceeding against Tarun Dal, Chitawan, president Shiva Paudel and 15 others.
Meeting of the Constitutional Council is postponed due to the banda called by Nepali Congress.
Meeting for the Congress central committee decides to continue with protests until criminal proceedings against Shiva Paudel is withdrawn and he is declared a martyr. The form of protests will change.
December 20 Meeting of the Army Integration Special Committee is postponed after there is no agreement among the parties.
Meeting of the sub-committee of dispute resolution reaches consensus to include the phrase “peaceful movements of the past and armed struggle” in the preamble of the constitution to reflect the spirit of all the movements. All other phrases will be included in the explanatory notes at the end.
Meeting between UML chairperson Jhala Nath Khanal and US ambassador to Nepal Scott DeLisi to discuss about the peace and constitution-drafting process.
December 21 UML-aligned All Nepal National Free Students Union announces formation of Akhil force.
Meeting of the Constitutional Committee. CA members from the UCPN (M) Mohan Vaidya faction try to reverse the agreement reached in the sub-committee for dispute resolution regarding decision not to mention the integration of Maoist combatants in the constitution. Agreement to keep federal assemblies as names of the states.
Meeting of the Congress parliamentary party concludes that the peace process has not moved forward because of UCPN(M)
Meeting of Congress and UML leaders concludes that the peace process has been obstructed, mainly due to UCPN (M).
Meeting of the Council of Ministers decides to recruit three thousand Madhesi youths to make the Nepal Army inclusive.
December 22 Maoist combatants aligned to UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya meet party chairperson Pushpa Kamal Dahal and submit a 10-point memorandum including lump-sum payment and discharge for those choosing voluntary retirement; special provision for injured, disabled, and combatants with babies; national citation while being discharged from the cantonments.
Meeting of the sub-committee for dispute resolution under the Constitutional Committee. UCPN (N) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction insists on mentioning ‘people’s war’ in the preamble of the constitution.
Meeting of the legislature-parliament is postponed after the Dalit CA members obstruct proceedings protesting the government silence on the murder of Manbir Sunuwar of Kalikot. MJF-D CA member and former Minister of State Sanjaya Kumar Shah breaks equipment accusing that he is not being given opportunity to speak in the parliament.
Meeting of the UML standing committee accusing UCPN (M) of not being serious on the peace and constitution-drafting process.
December 23 Maoist combatants choosing voluntary retirement meet UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya and general secretary Ram Bahadur Thapa and request quick discharge from the cantonments.
Minister of Defence Bijaya Kumar Gachhedar in a press conference announce that the recruitment of Madhesi youths into the Nepal Army will be through open competition as per the Interim Constitution.
Meeting of the Constitutional Committee cannot take any decisions as senior leaders are absent in the meeting
December 24 Meeting of the sub-committee for dispute resolution under the Constitutional Committee. In a meet with journalists after the meeting, UCPN (M) chief whip accuses of conspiracy to draft the constitution by making UCPN (M) surrender. He also criticises the leadership for only UCPN (M) backing away from its issues.
Prime minister Baburam Bhattarai attends a security meeting in the Ministry of Home Affairs and directs for improvement in the security of the valley.
Meeting of UCPN (M) central committee restarts. Political document emphasising peace and constitution is submitted. Vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction opposes.
Maoist combatants aligned to UCPN (M) vice-chairperson Mohan Vaidya faction meets prime minister Baburam Bhattarai and request for national citation and immediate discharge of those choosing voluntary retirement.