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Text of Government's letter sent in reply to the Maoists

Reiterating the Government's commitment to the ongoing peace process, Kamal Thapa, spokesperson and member of the peace talks team, forwarded the Government's views on July 29, 2003, on various issues raised by the Maoist insurgents in a letter sent to the Government on July 27. Following is the full text of the letter that was sent through the talks' facilitators:

 

To The Coordinator
CPN (Maoist) Talks Team

Subject: Third Round of peace talks

Through: Facilitators

Gentleman (Mahashaya),

With regard to the letter sent from CPN (Maoist) on July 27, the viewpoint of His Majesty’s Government (HMG) is as follows:

1. We would like to re-draw attention of CPN (Maoist) that the solution of the problem should be sought by sitting for talks, not merely exchanging letters.

2. HMG has been implementing the agreements reached during the two rounds of peace talks. Preparations are underway to make public the status of Maoist cadres and annulling the Anti-Terrorist Act. The government has already expressed commitments to release three central level leaders from jail.

3. In easy and normal condition, Army stays in barrack. But, if there is abnormal and extra-ordinary condition in the nation, the step to limit the role and area of Royal Nepali Army (RNA) cannot be in the favour of the nation.

Based on this fact, the HMG re-expresses its commitment that the Army will not be mobilised against Maoists except in defensive condition, the HMG will not allow any chances of clash between the Army and rebel side, and to fulfill these commitments, HMG will maintain strong monitoring process and medium.

For this, HMG is ready to work in accordance with the previous understandings reached in the informal meetings, or we are also ready to implement another alternative way to be reached through mutual understanding.

4. It is a well-known fact that the Royal Palace has already published a statement, which says the executive power is within the cabinet according to Article 35 of the Constitution.

5. Royal Nepali Army is nation’s inseparable organ. Army works following HMG’s direction and policies remaining under the Constitution. RNA has been honestly following ceasefire and code of conduct and will keep on doing this.

Army is always committed to the implementation of the decisions of the talks. Such commitment is also expected from the military of the rebel side.

6. The anti-terrorism agreement signed between the HMG and the USA is a part of global campaign against terrorism. The USA has signed such agreements with India and many other countries.

In the light of the facts that Nepal has signed many anti-terrorism treaties of regional and international level and has been extending full support to global anti-terrorism campaign, it is very natural to sign the agreement with the USA. There is no reason for non-terrorist groups or persons to be fearful of the agreement.

The relation of RNA, based on training and joint exercise, is not limited to only one country. RNA officials and army personnel have been receiving training from India, UK, USA, China, France, Germany, Israel, and Malaysia etc. In the like manner, army from various nations receive training in Nepal. RNA has also been participating in joint exercise with the army of various nations.

The USA, including various nations of the world, has been performing such joint exercises with the army of South Asian nations, in particular, that of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Except those who are here for temporary training and joint exercise, no any foreign army is present in Nepal. There is no any army expert and advisors of foreign nations at this moment.

7. The HMG will present its political agenda during the meeting of the next round of talks, in the same way that the Maoists presented their political agenda on the talks-table.

In accordance with the wish of common people not to restart the chain of violence, murder and terror, there is no alternative rather than to give continuity to peaceful dialogue. The HMG has strong belief that solutions to the present demands and conditions raised by the Maoists and the possible demands and conditions to be raised by them in the future can be sought through dialogue.

Therefore, without delaying, HMG requests the CPN (Maoist) to participate in the third round of peace talks, which we proposed to hold by mid-August (Shrawan Masanta, according to Nepali calendar). It is crystal clear that, despite HMG’s regular commitment and arduous efforts to continue talks, if the situation worsens, the Maoist side will be responsible for it. Thank You.

Kamal Thapa

Spokesman and member

Talks team, HMG

Source: Nepal News , July 29, 2003

 

 

 

 

 
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