Integration plan likely to kick start this weekend

KATHMANDU, MAR 12 -
Come Friday, the process of integrating Maoist combatants in the Nepal Army could see a start. Top leaders of three major parties are close to consensus on beginning the process this weekend.
Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has agreed to convene a meeting of the Special Committee on Tuesday to take the stalled integration process forward. After a three-party meeting on Sunday, leaders indicated that they are hopeful of starting the process by Friday.
“We were engaged in serious talks for the past one week. We hope of a breakthrough by this weekend,” a negotiator said. He claimed that the NC and the UML could be flexible on offering a rank higher than the major only after the integration process takes momentum.
Sources said the talks headed for a positive direction also because NC leaders were open to discussions on an alternative measure to address the Maoist demand. The Maoists have been demanding that their combatants be given positions at the decision-making level in the new Army directorate.
Instead of the Army’s proposal for a general directorate led by a lieutenant general, NC leaders are mulling a directorate to be led by a brigadier general for integrating the combatants.
“If there is an understanding to set up a directorate, Maoist combatants who are eligible for the rank of a major can also participate in decision-making in the new unit. The general practice is that any unit in the Army involves top three ranks below the unit leadership in the decision-making process,” a source said.
If the directorate is formed under a brigadier general, the top ranks—colonel, lieutenant colonel and major—will have a say in the decision-making process.
Leaders said this could be a “win-win formula” for both the Maoists and the NC. The Congress is firm against offering any rank higher than a major as suggested in the seven-point deal. Going by the NA’s standard norms, a major is the topmost rank the PLA combatants are eligible for.
Earlier, the Maoist leadership had assured the opposition parties that they were ready to start the integration process within March 13. The NC and the UML have been seeking progress in the peace process beforeseeking settlement of contentious issues in the constitution making process.
Sunday’s meeting at the Peace and Reconstruction Ministry focused on seeking an amicable solution to contentious issues of integration, disputed issues of constitution drafting and formation of a transitional justice mechanism. Leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the seven-point understanding signed on November 1 on peace and constitution. The parties have agreed to call a meeting of the Dispute Resolution Sub-Committee under the Constitutional Committee on Monday to discuss the contentious issues of constitution writing. Leaders claimed Tuesday’s Special Committee meeting will yield results.
NC Parliamentary Party leader Ram Chandra Poudel said the Maoist party has agreed to take forward the integration process through the Special Committee as per the seven-point understanding.
Maoist Secretary Post Bahadur Bogati said the Special Committee will settle the issue of rank determination after consultations with leaders of major parties.
Parties mulling a face-saver
Sunday’s three-party meeting also discussed in detail the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a commission to probe conflict-era disappearance cases. UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal said the parties are near consensus on the terms of the bills related to the Reconciliation and Disappearance Commission. “The next meeting will finalise the terms of the bills related to the formation of the two commissions,” Khanal said. According to a leader, the parties have agreed not to grant amnesty to those who were involved in grave crimes, including rape.
An NC leader, however, said that with international pressure mounting, they are mulling phrasing the amnesty issue in such a way that it could save their faces. “We may come up with some phrasing that will not look like endorsing a blanket amnesty,” he said. The parties have agreed to adopt a reconciliatory approach while forming the transitional justice mechanisms.