Nepal's Maoist rebels oppose arms monitors

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

KATHMANDU, June 30 (Reuters) Nepal does not need international observers to monitor the arms of Maoist guerrillas or government troops ahead of polls to a special assembly, rebel leaders said today.

The comments signalled an about-face in the position of the insurgents who earlier this month had said the two forces should be confined to their respective barracks or camps during the vote and be under international supervision.

The interim, multi-party government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala -- which came to power after mass protests forced King Gyanendra to relinquish absolute power -- is expected to soon invite the United Nations to start the process.

''There is no need for other (foreign) friends to involve themselves in our problems,'' Maoist leader and negotiator Dinanath Sharma told Reuters.

''Calling the UN or another outside body should be the last resort ... if there are technical issues in monitoring weapons.'' Home Ministry spokesman B P Neupane refused to comment.

Sharma's comments echoed those of his leader, rebel chief Prachanda.

''Why do we need to invite foreigners? Let's try to manage it ourselves first,'' Prachanda, whose assumed name means Awesome or Terrible, was quoted as saying in the Kathmandu Post newspaper today.

The rebels say they do not trust the army and are hesitant to permanently give up arms until elections to a new assembly are held and a new constitution is drafted to decide the future of Nepal.

''MASS SUICIDE'' ''If we give up arms it would be mass suicide for us,'' Sharma, a member of the Maoist's central committee, said.

''The army uses its weapons to crush democracy.'' The management of arms by an international agency like the UN was being seen as a temporary measure which would allow the rebels to join the interim government under an agreement reached between the two sides this month.

Analysts fear the rebels could intimidate rural voters during the elections if they are allowed to keep their guns because they hold sway over much of the countryside.

Maoist leaders also proposed the rebel and government armies could merge and work under a single command after the Maoists join the interim government.

''The prime minister of the day will be the supreme commander of the combined army,'' Prachanda said.

A joint committee of Nepali army generals and Maoist commanders could manage the new force which would stay in separate camps, he said. Neupane said the government had not yet discussed the proposal.

Analysts say such a merger would be tough to manage because the two sides have fought each other for years and thousands have been killed on either side.

In all, more than 13,000 people have been killed in the impoverished Himalayan nation since the Maoist revolt erupted in 1996, aimed at overthrowing the monarchy.

Across Nepal's southern border, dozens of Nepalis living in India held a protest in the capital, New Delhi, in support of a Maoist demand to free their comrades in Indian jails.

India has an open border with Nepal and many Maoists, who cross over for medical treatment or to collaborate with their Indian counterparts, are known to have been captured by Indian security forces.

Reuters SHB GC1713

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