Deuba thanks PM, Sonia for supporting Democracy in Nepal

New Delhi, July 7 (UNI) Nepali Congress (Democratic) president Sher Bahadur Deuba today accepted that the seven party alliance government should have consulted the Maoists before inviting the United Nations to monitor weapons held by the rebels and the army ahead of the assembly elections.

''Everybody should have been consulted,'' Mr Deuba said, reacting to reports that the Maoists were unhappy with Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's letter asking UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan for U N monitoring in the run-up to the elections to prepare a new constitution and decide the future of monarchy.

Initially, the Maoists had insisted on U N supervision of both the rebel and state forces, but Maoist leader Prachanda later said there was no need for foreign involvement.

Mr Deuba, who is in India on a ten-day visit, thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the people of India in helping Nepal return to democracy.

''I have met Mrs Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and BJP leader L K Advani and expressed sincere gratitute on behalf of the seven party alliance,'' Mr Deuba, told reporters here.

He reiterated that the Maoists would have to shun arms before joining the government, allaying fears from some quarters that once the rebels entered the government they would soon take complete control.

He said the Maoists would have to stop extortion, return confiscated property and allow management of arms in that order before joining the government.

Mr Deuba is being hosted by Nepal Democracy Solidarity Committee India.

UNI YJ MIR HS1756