domingo, abril 30, 2006

NEPAL

A situação no Nepal

Rei Gyanendra e Girija Prasad Koirla após a cerimónia da nomeação de primeiro-ministro

"Nepal's political parties unanimously backed plans for elections to a body to draw up a new constitution to decide the future of the monarchy, party leaders said.

The decision came after a four-hour debate in parliament that sat for the first time Friday after King Gyanendra caved into weeks of protests against his absolute rule and ordered a recall. No date was given for the elections to the assembly.

"We have fulfilled the demands of the people," said Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, joint-secretary of the Nepali Congress party Sunday.

Elections to a constituent assembly were a key demand for Maoist rebels who have fought a decade-long insurgency in Nepal that has left at least 12,500 people dead.

"Now the government will announce ceasefire and form a team to negotiate with the Maoist rebels," said Mahat.

The Maoists joined a loose alliance with seven opposition political parties last year to take on Gyanendra after he seized absolute control of the country in February 2005.

Gyanendra had accused the government of corruption and of failing to quell the Maoist insurgency.But the alliance mobilised supporters who took to the streets during 19 days in April, with many demanding a republic and for the king's powers to be watered down or removed.

Last week, Gyanendra buckled under the nationwide protests and agreed in a televised address to reinstate parliament dissolved in 2002, after earlier asking the opposition to name a premier.

Legislators, swept back into office by "people power", vowed to call elections to reframe the 1990 constitution to limit Gyanendra's powers to prevent a future power grab.

Maoist rebel forces announced a three-month ceasefire Thursday to "motivate" political leaders to call elections to the assembly -- their key demand for joining mainstream political life. The Maoists, who control large parts of the countryside, are seen as key to any long term solution to Nepal's problems.

The current constitution gives the king powers to dismiss the government and take control of the 90,000-strong military.

Banners at rallies have warned politicians that they are being closely watched to ensure they carry out their promise to re-write the constitution.

But analysts have warned of months of continued wrangling and potential instability because of the complex constitutional issues. The king's future role remains unclear. — AFP Nepal's political parties unanimously backed plans for elections to a body to draw up a new constitution to decide the future of the monarchy, party leaders said.

The decision came after a four-hour debate in parliament that sat for the first time Friday after King Gyanendra caved into weeks of protests against his absolute rule and ordered a recall. No date was given for the elections to the assembly.

"We have fulfilled the demands of the people," said Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, joint-secretary of the Nepali Congress party Sunday.

Elections to a constituent assembly were a key demand for Maoist rebels who have fought a decade-long insurgency in Nepal that has left at least 12,500 people dead.

"Now the government will announce ceasefire and form a team to negotiate with the Maoist rebels," said Mahat." - in TODAYonline.com

Sem comentários: