Posted: 2006-06-19 09:52:00
Following peace talks on Friday between the government and the Maoists, the names of the team formed to draft the interim constitution was announced. The team will be headed by former Justice of the Supreme Court, Laxman Prasad Aryal, who was a member of the commission that drafted the 1990 Constitution. After he retired from the SC some four years ago, he has been a leading member of the civil society. The other members of the current team are: Shambhu Thapa, Harihar Dahal, Mahadev Yadav, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, and Khimlal Devkota. The government has given 15 days to the team to complete its job to draft the document.
“Though the government has announced the names of those in the team, it has not given anything in writing. We may start our job in a few days after the government provides us an office and staffers,” Aryal said.
Giant leap forward, interim statute very soon
• Constituent assembly election date to be fixed
• International observers to be invited, if needed, to monitor polls
Kathmandu, June 16:
The Government and the Maoists today agreed on an eight-point agenda which has, among others, agreed to frame an interim statute, an interim government, declare the date for an election to a constituent assembly and dissolve the revived House of Representatives and the Maoists’ People’s Governments based on mutual understanding. The agreement was reached at a meeting between the leaders of the seven-party alliance and the Maoists at the prime minister’s residence.
Both sides agreed to request the United Nations for management and monitoring of the armed forces of both sides to ensure a free and fair election to a constituent assembly.
International observers could also be invited to monitor the constituent assembly election, if need be, according to the press statement issued at the end of the nine hour-long meeting. The parties and the Maoists would conduct their political activities in a peaceful manner expressing firm commitments to competitive multiparty democracy, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, press freedom, rule of law and democratic norms and values.
They have also agreed to reach an understanding before taking any major decision that may impact on the nation. Both sides reiterated their commitment to the 12-point understanding between the alliance and the Maoists and the Ceasefire Code of Conduct signed between the Government and the Maoists on May 26. The statement said both the understandings would be honestly implemented by both sides.
The agreement has also decided to restructure the state mechanism to resolve the class disparity and ethnic, regional and gender problems. They have also expressed commitment to convert the ceasefire into lasting peace and resolve all the problems through dialogue, giving priority to democracy, peace, prosperity and progress and the country’s independence, sovereignty and national dignity The meeting directed the Government-Maoist talks teams to execute all the above mentioned decisions.
A press conference held after the meeting was attended by all the top alliance leaders and Maoist chairman Prachanda and his deputy Dr Baburam Bhattarai, barring Prime Minister Koirala. Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula said it was because Koirala was unwell. Prachanda said the interim constitution will be drafted in a month, then an interim government with his party men on board will be formed dissolving the parliament.
The historical agreement was signed by Koirala, Madhav Kumar Nepal, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Amik Sherchan, Narayan Man Bijuckchhe, Bharat Bimal Yadav and Prabhu Narayan Chaudhary, representing the seven-party alliance and Prachanda.
Former Supreme Court judge to head statute-drafting committee
Following peace talks on Friday between the government and the Maoists, the names of the team formed to draft the interim constitution was announced. The team will be headed by former Justice of the Supreme Court, Laxman Prasad Aryal, who was a member of the commission that drafted the 1990 Constitution. After he retired from the SC some four years ago, he has been a leading member of the civil society. The other members of the current team are: Shambhu Thapa, Harihar Dahal, Mahadev Yadav, Sindhu Nath Pyakurel, and Khimlal Devkota. The government has given 15 days to the team to complete its job to draft the document
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