Leaders express optimism on peace process

KATHMANDU, Oct 11: Leaders from the Nepali Congress (NC) and UCPN(Maoist) have said that their bilateral talks held on Monday ended on a positive note, and they hoped the stalled peace and constitution-drafting process would move ahead in a few days.



"We held talks at a policy level -- not issue-wise. And Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai and Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal presented themselves in a positive fashion, which has brought a new sense of hope for the conclusion of the peace process," said NC General Secretary Krishna Sitaula, talking to reporters after participating in the meeting at Dahal´s residence at Naya Bazaar. [break]



NC leaders Ram Chandra Poudel, Sher Bahadur Deuba, Dr Minendra Rijal and Ram Sharan Mahat, and Maoist Chairman Dahal, Prime Minister Bhattarai and Deputy Prime Minister Narayankaji Shrestha were present during the meeting.



"We hope we will reach some conclusions in the next few days," Sitaula said. He informed that the party is holding a meeting with the UML on Tuesday to seek a consensus.



The leaders talked about returning seized property, PLA integration and the formation of various commissions including a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Commission on Disappeared. But the Maoists particularly insisted on forming an experts panel



During the meeting, the Maoists insisted on forming an experts panel to make recommendations on state restructuring.



"We put forward our views that we should hold talks on constitution drafting as well. We insisted in particular on forming an experts panel on state restructuring," said Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha, who is also a party vice-chairman.







He said that the talks were informal and the leaders would consult with Senior Vice-chairman Mohan Baidya, who is currently outside Kathmandu Valley to speak at programs held by his hardline faction.



Shrestha said that leaders from both parties held frank discussions, and they would hold a three-party meeting within the next few days.



During the meeting, NC leaders cautioned Prime Minister Bhattarai not to publicly blame the NC and UML for the stalled peace process. Bhattarai replied that he did not mean to put the blame on the NC and UML.

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