NEPAL: Leaders sign peace process deal five years after the nation's civil war ended and agree to work out a new constitution

Record ID: 349518

  • Title: NEPAL: Leaders sign peace process deal five years after the nation's civil war ended and agree to work out a new constitution
  • Date: 2nd November 2011
  • Summary: KATHMANDU, NEPAL (NOVEMBER 1, 2011) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) PARTY MEMBERS ENTERING OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF PRIME MINISTER LEADERS OF THREE BIG PARTIES AND LEADER OF CPN (UML) BHIM RAWAL THREE LEADERS, MAOIST CHAIRMAN PRACHANDA (CENTRE), SUSHIL KOIRALA, CHAIRMAN OF NEPALI CONGRESS (ON PACHANDA'S LEFT) AND JHALANATH KHANAL, CHAIRMAN OF CPN (UML)
  • Embargoed: 17th November 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nepal, Nepal
  • Country: Nepal
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA7IYYLDN92F13INA5FLYLDTMZF
  • Story Text: Nepal's political leaders on Tuesday (November 1) signed a deal to conclude a peace process which has been ongoing since the nation's civil war ended five years ago.
    A spokesman for Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai said the deal revolves around the future of about 19,000 former Maoist fighters, the BBC reported. About a third of them will be integrated into the security forces. The remainder will receive a pay-off, the BBC reported.
    Bhattarai watched as Maoist chairman Prachanda, Sushil Koirala, chairman of Nepali Congress, Jhalanath Khanal, chairman of CPN (UML) signed the deal, which was also agreed by a conglomeration of regional Madeshi parties.
    "This agreement will pave the way for a fact-finding commission and a commission for disappeared people which will be endorsed by the constituent assembly," said Leader of CPN (UML) Bhim Rawal.
    Mohan Vaidya Kiran, First Vice-chairman of the Maoist party, expressed doubts over the terms of the agreement. "We have differences on this treaty, and it will not benefit the country and the people," he said.
    Former Prime MInister Madhab Nepal said: "It will no doubt give a positive message to the people and it will pave a way to the new direction."
    Maoist chairman Prachand said: "With the signing of the peace process today we have finalized a chapter of a peace process and constitution drafting process."
    The deal committed the parties to make progress on the establishment of a truth and reconciliation commission and another body to investigate the disappearances of nearly 1,200 people during the Maoist insurgency, AFP reported.
    The current constituent assembly has been extended so that more time is available for the parties to reach a consensus on a new constitution for the republic, which replaced its monarchy in 2008.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register