UCPN (M) using ex-fighters as ‘bargaining chip’

KATHMANDU, AUG 12 -

The ruling UCPN (Maoist) plans to trade the future of over 3,000 of its former combatants awaiting integration into the Nepal Army for a new deal on future political roadmap, according to party leaders.

The indecision on the fate of the ex-combatants living in Nepal Army controlled cantonments persists despite the party’s plenum mandating last month the leadership to send the former fighters to voluntary retirement. Party Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had then vowed to make a ‘last-ditch effort’ to pressure other parties for a revision to the seven-point deal on army integration signed in November last year.

“We want to hold dialogue with parties to seek further concessions in age and education criteria stipulated in the seven-point deal. If they disagree to offer a dignified solution, all the ex-combatants will take up voluntary retirement,” said Maoist Spokesman Agni Sapkota. The party, however, is yet to start ‘serious talks’ with other political forces for ending the stalemate and resuming the stalled selection process of the combatants aspiring to join the national army. The integration process was widely criticised by the Maoist cadres who were in the Capital in July for its being “no different from the regular recruitment process”. Chairman Dahal, admitting mistake in ignoring technical details, had committed that everyone would be sent to retirement unless the Nepali Congress and the C PN-UML were ready for revision.

NC leader Ram Sharan Mahat said the Maoists had tried to bypass the Special Committee on army integration and to play foul by asking the Nepal Army to demonstrate flexibility in integration. “Some of the technical issues like age and education could have been solved, had they brought the matter to the Special Committee. They unilaterally approached the Nepal Army, which turned down their unconstitutional request,” said the Special Committee member. “The future of the former combatants is doomed because of the bullying attitude of Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and his party.”

Former deputy commander of the combatants Chandra Prakash Khanal said the deadlock over integration would break if parties reached a new package deal on constitution-making, election and new government. “Other parties are not ready for flexibility so we are mulling the alternative of sending everyone to voluntary retirement,” he said. “The ongoing impasse will end only if there is a package deal.”

Maoist leaders believe they can bargain for further flexibility in integration while discussing a package deal which, among other things, would speak on the successor to the incumbent government.

Source: http://www.ekantipur.com/2012/08/12/top-story/ucpn-m-using-ex-fighters-as-bargaining-chip/358621/