Message at the occasion of the fourteen’s anniversary of the popular war’s beginning in Nepal.

Friday the 13 February 2009, progressive and revolutionary forces celebrate the fourteen’s anniversary of the popular war’s beginning in Nepal. This date expresses certainly an important event. It’s also an significant defy in this hard and difficult international and regional contexts, which see the imperialists and their lacquers, attack and oppress peoples and nations with a great savagery, to exploit their human, natural and territorial wealth. In such circumstances of relative weakness of progressive forces, it is essential that the banner of revolution be handed so that’s the case in Nepal, on the base of the ML Maoism’s defend and application, and as well, its development to the exigent correct point in this twenty one century.

The combination of agrarian reform and armed struggle and their permutation to the urban upsurge, are given the conquest by the people of the direct, free and equal universal suffrage which has been consecrated by the PCN (m)’s victory at the constituent assembly’s election, the constitution of an antimonarchist government conduced by the leader of the party as the prime minister, are some concrete transductions of the Nepalese revolutionary’s ability to take in hand the leviers for transformation their country in benefit of peasants, workers and other oppressed.
Nevertheless, the transition to a new popular republic renders the class’s struggle more difficult and complex. By conducting a leading line of “unity-struggle-unity” and “struggle-criticism-transformation”, the PCN (M) has successfully reached a higher unity in the ideological, political and organisational level. The combinative line of three spheres, the street, the government and the constituent assembly, with the street as the fundamental factor, the realisation of the unity of ML Maoist organisations, are powerful weapons and examples for a correct assumption of the new democracy’s contemporary social-republican revolution.
We communicate our full congratulations and express our sympathy and solidarity to all the militant and actors of PCN (M), who work night and day for the victory of the Nepalese revolution and to set the people of Nepal as the only creator of history in their country.

PLAIN SUCCESS FOR THE 14TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PEOPLE’S WAR
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Wasane
10 février 2009

Nepal Army chief describes recruitment issue as 'internal matter'

Chief of Army Staff General Rookmangud Katawal on Friday said that the ongoing dispute over army recruitment is an "internal matter" of Nepal Army and that the army itself is capable of resolving it.

General Katawal said during a questioning at the National Interest Protection Committee of the Constituent Assembly (CA).

In response to questions from the members of the committee about the ongoing row between the Ministry of Defense and Nepal Army regarding the recruitment process started by the latter, which has now been completed, the army chief said that he can't speak on the "internal matter" of the army in the meeting called to discuss the future make-up of the Nepal Army.

"I will speak about this issue where it is required," he told the committee, while at the same time assuring its members that the NA now bears the national flag respecting the changes that have arrived in the country.

He said that since there is "absence of national policy regarding Nepal Army" he has prepared a draft of the same. He didn't elaborate.

"The army is moving ahead as per the law and agrees to people's supremacy," he said.

Alluding to the ordinances brought by the government to ensure equal participation of all ethnic communities in public institutions, Katawal said that NA should be kept away from "political allocations."

‘Army merger for the sake of peace’

A senior Unified CPN (Maoist) leader stressed on the need for a merger between the two armies – Nepal Army and Maoist People’s Liberation Army – for [the sake of] democracy and lasting peace in the country.

Netra Bikram Chand ‘Biplav’, a Maoist central secretariat member, however, warned that the Maoists will not take things lightly if there are attempts to create obstruction in the work undertaken by the government the party leads.

“If we are not allowed to do people’s oriented work then we will leave the government and go to the people,” he said. The Maoists have been using the phrase “going to the people” in replacement of the more terse “waging revolt” it used in the past.

Speaking at a press meet in far-western Surkhet district Friday, Chand also warmed against attempts to find alternative to the Unified CPN (Maoist) government.

Miffed by the Maoist led government’s promulgation of one-after-another ordinances without seeking the approval of the legislature-parliament, Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala had last week said that the “people” are seeking an alternative to Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and the government he leads. He had also hinted that senior UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is better suited for the job now.

Commenting on the Madhesi Maoist leader Matrika Yadav’s Wednesday’s announcement of a separate Maoist party to restore “the revolutionary Maoist path”, Chand said that revolutions can’t be successful by going solo.

“Although Yadav (Matrika Yadav) has the right to revolt inside the party, the step he took (of setting up a separate party) is wrong,” he added.

Additionally, reacting to Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher who said that US government is yet to consider deleting name of his party from the terror list, Chand said the list has become impractical and irrelevant. "It doesn't matter whether we are in list or not," he said.

Source: Nepal News

Nepal Army disobeyed govt orders: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa 'Badal' has said the whole dispute between Nepal Army and the government started as the Army started its recruitment process without taking permission from the government.

Addressing the meeting of State Affairs Committee of the parliament on Wednesday minister Thapa said the Army's noncompliance with government orders has raised a new question, "Should the army obey government orders or the government work as per army's instructions".

"According to democratic practices, the army should uphold government's orders whether it is right or wrong," Thapa added. "The people and the parliament will penalise the government if it takes wrong decisions."

NA had recently completed recruitment of some 3,000 personnel despite government orders to withhold the process

Peace is necessary for economic progress: Dr. Bhattarai

Finance Minister Dr. Baburam Bhattarai has said peace is necessary for economical progress and a good constitution for peace. Bhattarai expressed such views at a meeting with US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, Thursday morning.

According to sources, Boucher has committed assistance in hydro-power and other development projects. He also showed concern on the ongoing peace process and the constitution.

Boucher, who is on a two-day official visit to Nepal, is scheduled to visit president Dr. Ram Baran Yadav later today.

Former Prime Minister and president of Nepali Congress (NC) Girija Prasad Koirala, during his meeting with visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Richard Boucher Thursday morning, has said democracy is in danger in Nepal and attacked the Maoist led government of Prime Minister Prachanda.

Boucher meets PM Prachanda, says US is reviewing terror tag on Maoists

US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, held a 'constructive meeting with Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal soon after landing in Kathmandu Wednesday afternoon.

Talking to reporters after the meeting with Prachanda at the PMO, Singha Durbar, Boucher said the US is willing to support the peace building efforts and the constitution-drafting process. Saying that the US wants good relations with the Nepal government, he added that the US government would give continuity to its assistance to Nepal.

Finance Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai was also present during the half-hour long meeting. Later, Boucher met Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.

Meanwhile, quoting the US Assistant Secretary, Prime Minister's foreign policy advisor Hira Bahadur Thapa said the US government has formed a panel to review the terrorist tag on the Maoists and that the reviewing process is on.

Boucher himself didn't comment on the terror tag issue.

According to Thapa, who was present at the meeting, Boucher appreciated the strong condemnation the Nepal government expressed against November's terrorist strikes in India's Mumbai city.

The US Assistant Secretary, who arrived in Kathmandu earlier today, will also meet other senior leaders and ministers including Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bam Dev Gautam, Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav and Defence Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa.

Boucher is the most senior US official to visit Nepal after the establishment of the Maoist-led government. He will wrap up his visit on Thursday.

Earlier, Boucher was to visit Nepal in the second week of December, but the trip was cancelled in the last minute

Shakti Bahadur Basnet is out of danger

KATHMANDU, Feb 10 Nepal authorities have deployed extra police across the capital and detained five people after a close aide to Nepal's Maoist prime minister was shot by unknown assailants outside his apartment, police said on Tuesday.

"We have not been able to catch the culprit yet," Ramesh Shrestha, the Kathmandu police chief, told Reuters.

Shakti Bahadur Basnet, Prime Minister Prachanda's personal secretary and a central committee member of the ruling Maoist party, was shot late on Monday as he was going home in a Kathmandu suburb, the prime minister's spokesman Om Sharma said."He was rushed to the hospital with leg injuries and is out of danger,"

PM Prachanda's personal aide shot at

Prime Minister Prachanda's chief personal secretary and central leader of the Unified CPN (Maoist), Shakti Bahadur Basnet, was shot at near his residence at Koteshwor, Kathmandu, Monday evening.

Basnet, who received a bullet injury in his leg, was rushed to B & B at Satdobato, Lalitpur, for treatment.

The unidentified gunman opened fire at Basnet just as he was entering his house. Earlier in the afternoon, he had accompanied the Prime Minister to Paanchthar district.

Prime Minister Prachanda and other Maoist leaders have gone to the hospital to see him

Koirala claims people want alternative to PM Prachanda

Koirala claims people want Prachanda alternative

A day after accusing Prime Minister Prachanda of having "failed the nation" due to his divided loyalty towards the Maoist combatants and the Nepal Army, Nepali congress president Girija Prasad Koirala has claimed that the general public has started looking for an alternative to PM Dahal.

Speaking to reporters Sunday morning before flying back to Kathmandu from his hometown Biratnagar where he went Saturday for rest, Koirala said that his successor to the post of prime minister is being forced to the corner by the present situation.

In a usual tone, the NC strongman said that since the Maoist-led government is pushing the country towards totalitarianism by bringing ordinances the alternative to the prime minister is being sought. He also advised the government to stop running the country through ordinances, adding that the Maoist government is becoming weak also because it has repeatedly attacked (interfered) in all sectors.

Hinting at a possible change in the government led by UML, Koirala said that no matter who replaces PM Prachandal - be it (senior UML leader) "Madhav ji (Madhav Kumar Nepal or whoever" - the country needs someone who can give the much deserved leadership to the country.

The political atmosphere is expected to heat up after the former prime minister is back in the capital as his party, which has stood resolutely against the ordinances brought by the government - has intensified discussion with other political parties to call up a special session of the legislative-parliament.

Koirala has a habit of taking a brief sojourn to his hometown Biratnagar to hatch a deft political maneuver.

Meanwhile, another former prime minister and senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba lambasted at the Unified CPN (Maoists) for not heeding the advice of his party, predicting that its days were now numbered.

The NC stalwart, who was speaking at a program in Pokhara today, said that in the past "despotic kings" had perished because they didn't heed NC's advice and that he won't be surprised if the Maoists suffered the same fate

Democracy and Class Struggle says that Koirala is increasing his anti Maoist rhetoric has US Under Secretary of State Boucher returns to the region. The UCPN Maoist needs to be on the alert.

The United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, is scheduled to visit Nepal on Feb. 11.

Interview in Red Star Paper of CPN Maoist - The street struggle is connected with the peace process

Interview with Comrade Kiran

How are you evaluating the unity between CPN-Maoist and CPN (Unity Centre-Masal)?

Our party had already made decisions to make single pole of the revolutionary parties and organization. It is the beginning of the unity among the revolutionaries. This unity will certainly fulfill its responsibility for the nation and the people that is to accomplish the revolution.

You are inchange of the organizational department of the unified CPN-Maoist. How have you done division of responsibility of party leaders?

We are thinking about 2 phases of work division. Party central committee has 138 members. We have done our work division of the first phase. Central committee member will bear the in-chargeship of the state committee of autonomous states, mass organizations, fronts and forums. Secondly, there are special bureaus and departments. Thirdly, there are the responsibility in the fronts of the government, constitutes assembly and the different committees of the government and CA.

We have completed our primary work division to mobilize the three fronts: the government, constituent assembly and the street.

Have you any concrete policy and Programme for mobilizing the three fronts together?

We will raise the agendas of nationality, People's Republic and livelihood during our struggle. For that, we will mobilize the different mass-organizations, fronts and forums.

We have made Unity National Awareness Campaign for the struggle. The campaign will continue for 3 months. This campaign will be implemented in all the autonomous states. The struggle will be for the national independency and against international intervention.

We have made a new tactical line for People's Federal Democratic National Republic. Under this line and slogan, we will mobilize the people strongly to create the favourable situation for writing people's constitution. Along with it, the campaign is for the development of the country. It is the campaign of social-economic transformation. The programme of the budget will be implemented in the meantime. The task of socio-economic transformation and struggle will be carried together.

How will you be able to advance the two campaigns for the socio-economic transformation and the struggle of street together at a time?

The decision of the party and the government is similar in some of the issues because the party is in the government. Similarly, the front of the struggle is in the government itself and the Constituent Assembly. The street has always been the front of the struggle. We will mobilize these fronts in a harmonious way. The campaign, 'Unity National Awareness Campaign', will unify the three fronts together. And in the other hand, unified mass mobilization will combine these fronts as a supplementary to each other. The street struggle will help the government to draft the constitution of the workers and the peasants.

What are the main hindrances before the Maoist-led government?

The obstacles are both inner and the outer. First, the main inner problem is the activities and the behaviour of the aligned political parties. The UML and the Forum are in the coalition; however, they behave like the opposition. They are creating obstacles on the way to accelerate the vehicle of the government. Second, the old bureaucracy is not helping the government well. We have to solve this problem too. Third, the un-political strike and the protests in the street in an anarchist way is the another obstacle.

The solution of these problems and the address of the aspiration of the people are the true remedies.

The other important thing is that the government is not getting any chance to implement the plan and the programme as according its declaration.

Thee government has to address them.

Can you assure the people that the programme of social-economic transformation will be implemented all over the nation here after?

Certainly, the programme of the socio-economic transformation will be implemented and should be. If there will be no favourable environment to implement it, we will go to the street. We have to clear the hindrances occur on the way. At that time, the struggle will be the out come of the obligation. If one situation can not solve the problem, the other situation takes birth through it.

Many of the conspiracies are being hatched to fail the elected Maoist-led government. We all know that the main task of the government is to write a new constitution and lead the peace process in to a logical end. The extra-others are the secondary tasks for the government. However, the anti-people power and the reactionaries are trying to divert from the main issues and the tasks. Therefore, we advance a head to fulfill these tasks through the street struggle.

Is the street struggle related to the future insurrection?

The street struggle is connected with the progress of the peace process. The three fronts: the government, CA and street: are complementary.

However, the front of struggle can take another bend if the anti-people and the reactionary powers create obstacles incessantly against writing constitution and the peace process.