International pressure mounts to end Nepal deadlock

The international community on Tuesday mounted pressure on the Maoists to allow the formation of a multi-party government and quickly resolve Nepal's political crisis as the isolated former rebels blocked Parliamentary proceedings for the fifteenth day.

The ambassadors of US, UK, Germany and representatives of European Union on Tuesday met caretaker Prime Minister Prachanda and expressed concern over the political deadlock that threatens to derail the peace process in the country.

The envoys discussed issues relating to the ongoing peace process and the current political stalemate, according to sources close to the Prime Minister.

They urged the Maoists supremo to find a way out of the deadlock as early as possible as they warned that the constitutional crisis could smear the country's image, The Himalayan Times newspaper reported on Tuesday.

The House disruption forced the Speaker to put off the process for the election of a new Prime Minister. Nepal has been in a limbo since May 4 when Prime Minister Prachanda quit after President Ram Baran Yadav reinstated Army Chief General Rukmangad Katawal.

"The Maoists disruption of Parliament's functioning was undemocratic and against the Parliamentary practice," said Bimalendra Nidhi, the Nepali Congress General Secretary.

Meanwhile, the Maoists held talks with Nepali Congress and CPN-UML in a bid to end the deadlock. The issue also came up for discussion during an all party meeting convened by CPN-UML today to find a way out of the constitutional crisis.

The all party meeting also opposed the Maoists plan to move a special motion against the Presidents decision to revoke the sacking of the top general by Prachanda.

The Maoists' tactic to block the formation of an alternative government in Nepal will further prolong the country's political crisis and hamper the peace process.

The Maoists have been blocking the Parliament and organising protest rallies in the capital since Prachanda suddenly resigned on May 4 after the president reinstated General Katawal.

Prachanda has blamed the current army chief for trying to resist the integration of former rebels into the military as stipulated under the 2006 peace agreement.

Tags: prachanda and maoists

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