Nepal rebel chief opposes arms monitors: Report

Kathmandu, Jun 30: Nepal does not need international observers to monitor the arms of Maoist guerrillas or government troops ahead of polls to a special assembly, a newspaper today quoted the rebel's chief as saying.

Prachanda's comments signalled a turnaround in his position.

Earlier this month, he 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.

''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.

''If there is any technical problem, we can invite them later on,'' he told reporters late yesterday in Lalitpur district, which borders the capital, Kathmandu.

The rebels say they do not trust government forces and have been 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.

The management of arms by an international agency like the U N 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.

Prachanda also said 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,'' the Kathmandu Post quoted him as saying.

A joint committee of Nepali army generals and Maoist commanders could manage the new force which would stay in separate camps, he said.

Analysts say such a merger would be tough to manage as 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.

On Wednesday, the U S ambassador to Nepal slammed the Maoists for not disarming, saying the rebels were keeping the option of returning to an armed struggle open if talks with the government did not go their way.

REUTERS