Nepal's top rebel leader, Prachanda, has declared an end to violence after 10 years of armed insurgency.
The announcement came after a peace deal which will see the Maoists join an interim government within a month.

The accord has been welcomed by Nepal's politicians, as well as by giant neighbour India and the US and UK.

The BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says there are genuine hopes the deal will end the decade-long conflict in which about 13,000 people were killed.

Welcomed

The rebel leader said the Maoists had a "new vision" for the country and would use politics, not violence, to "meet the aspirations of the people's longing for peace".


We expect these decisions to place Nepal on the path of reconciliation, peace, stability and economic recovery
Indian foreign minister Pranab Mukherjee
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"Our experiences have shown we could not achieve our goals through armed revolution so we have chosen the path of negotiation and formed an alliance with the political parties," he told a news conference in Kathmandu just hours after the accord was reached.

Prachanda said the rebels would respect human rights and democracy and the rule of law "when a new constitution and a new government is formed".

In a BBC interview, he promised that the parallel state that the Maoists run in much of Nepal would be dissolved once they entered government.

The agreement reached at midnight on Tuesday has been welcomed by Nepalese politicians who said the deal was historic.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala said: "I believe this is a new revolutionary solution to the country's problems."

India described the agreement as a victory for the people of Nepal. The United States welcomed the deal but warned its success depended on how it was implemented.

People in Kathmandu hoped the accord would bring peace, but some expressed scepticism about the rebels' intentions.

In one suburb, hundreds of people stopped traffic and burned tyres shouting slogans against the rebels.

They condemned the rebels for visiting homes demanding that Maoists coming to the city for a rally on Friday be given food and shelter. The rebels deny exerting such pressures.

Rebel arms

Under the accord, the rebels' weapons will be put under UN supervision.


The thorny issue of the future of the already disempowered monarchy will be determined at the first gathering of a constituent assembly due to be elected by next June.

The institution's fate will be decided by a simple majority.

Nepal's transitional government will be formed at the beginning of December.

Before that, parliament will be expanded to take in 73 Maoist members, only two fewer than the biggest party, the Nepali Congress.

Before the assembly election the rebels will be confined to seven camps. They will keep the keys to their weapons but will be separated from them and the locks will be closely monitored by the UN.

The Maoists entered into negotiations with the government after a popular uprising in April forced King Gyanendra to end his direct rule and appoint a multi-party government.

Story from BBC NEWS:

Loote -

Wah wah wah! Bilkul zabarzast! Except there is a small problem : I am very single :) No honewali (or sonewali either) ;)

But in the same spirit, how about you, me and your honewali? We'll have a blast together, maybe go watch Borat and then chill out at a nice place? Whadda ya think?


Aloneinpacific - yeah, no matter what these people were upto in the past, credit is due to them for making this work in the present. One other person who deserves credit is Madhav Kumar Nepal for showing flexibility with the referendum issue. I hope they do more things worthy of credit in the future and dont turn out again to be the bums they were in the past.

"I really don't believe anyone coming from jungle can develop the nation."

Your seemingly hero and worldwide famous rebel celebrity, Che Guavera, came from the jungle. He even didn't like the his post of minister, and again went back to the "jungle" of the countries besides Cuba.

And, likewise, who you called strong leader, Fidel Castro, too, was Che's counterpart.

This piece from Akhilesh Tripathi in KOL:

- http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=90848

History Made


By Akhilesh Tripathi


It was already 12 at night and nothing was coming out of Baluwatar. November 8 was beginning to seem like it was just going to be another day of talks. Then, when it was least expected, the moment came. On the second day of the fifth round of summit talks, after over 20 hours of rigorous deliberations and discussions, the ruling seven-party alliance and the Maoists had, finally, made history. Overcoming all kinds of suspicions and apprehensions, they had reached the much-awaited peace deal, signing agreements on all political and arms issues and paving the way for the restoration of permanent peace in Nepal.
Both the ruling seven-party alliance and the Maoists deserve a special pat on the back for making the historic peace deal. They have proved the conception that "the Maoists cannot be trusted" and "the government, too, is not serious about establishing peace" as wrong. After more than a decade of deadly conflict and the Maoists living in the shadows, the November 8 Agreement is the strongest indicator that lasting peace will finally come. As mandated by the April Movement, a complete restructuring of the state, too, looks very near.

Indeed, the agreement marks the beginning of the final stage of the delicate and unique experiment of ending the bloody conflict and establishing sustainable peace that began in Nepal in the wake of the success of the April Movement. It has sealed secure the process of drawing the violent Maoist insurgency into open politics and integrating the rebels into the political mainstream. Any misgivings the people may have had, that the leaders may be tempted to go for just mere adjustment of power, just a tuning up of an old system, is gone. All of them now know and have decided what needs to be done- how and when. The historic agreement has clearly spelled out the roadmap for a new Nepal.

The paper work is now over. Real work lies ahead. There is no time for dilly-dallying. If the Constituent Assembly elections are to be held by mid-June 2007, as has been agreed, then swift action will be required. What has been agreed on paper needs to be implemented in practice. And for this to happen, the time line that the two sides have set for forming the interim government and legislature, promulgating the interim constitution etc has to be strictly adhered to.

We hope both sides have learnt from the over six months that took them to make the final peace deal that a change is possible only if the parties trying to make the change are ready to change themselves first with time. While the historic agreement reached at Baluwatar is in fact an expression of their will to change, it must be willed into action.

The Maoist leadership has been time and again accused of failing to bridge the gaping chasm seen between what it says from the national pulpit and its ability to transform its armed cadres at the ground level. Reports of rebel extortions, intimidations and bullying still keep coming in. This has to stop. With the rebel leadership now publicly abandoning the People's War, political re-orientation of their ground-level cadres and activists, so that they can learn to live in an open society, is the order of the day. There is no other way forward.

Maoist Chairman Prachanda's announcement within hours of reaching the groundbreaking agreement with the government that the November 10 convention of the Newa Mukti Morcha has been cancelled is a significant gesture towards this end. For the convention, which the Maoists were touting to be a mass gathering of a million in the capital, the rebels had been pressing the valley dwellers really hard to give shelter and food to their cadres and supporters who were going to attend the programme. Instead they have decided to celebrate for the next three days. Such gestures must continue.

On the seven parties' part, what needs to be changed is the usual political infighting, which they tend to become more vulnerable to when any change in government is made. This shouldn't be the case with the interim government ready to be formed later this month.

No political party or figure is bigger than the nation. The change the nation wants is perhaps possible only if the concerned sides realise this. The Baluwatar agreement has certainly opened a new exit but it will take solid effort and total commitment to make use of it and take the nation out of the centuries-old problems that came to a head in a violent and deadly manner in the last one decade.

In short, the country stands on the brink of a historic changing of the guard, and both the government and the rebels, the latter in large measure, hold the key to whether the peace process ultimately ends up treading the path of confrontation or final conciliation.

MAoist will be wiped out in coming elections if it happens peacefully.

The maoists will have the heaviest hand on the change whether one wants to think that way or not. Because of them, the people are more conscious of their actions. So from now on, no matter which party is the majority, they will have to think critically before they make any decision, because the maoist party will be there in the parliament to make the rulers really work for their living. :)

What exactly they agreed on, according to Nepalnews.com:

- http://www.nepalnews.com/archive/2006/nov/nov08/Full_text_summit_meeting.php

Full text of the decisions of the SPA-Maoist summit meeting:

Respecting people’s aspiration for democracy, peace and progress expressed through repeated historic people’s movement and struggles since 1951,

Reaffirming commitments to the 12-point and 8-point agreements, and 25-point code of conduct between the seven parties and the Maoists along with other agreements, understandings, code of conducts and letter sent to the United Nations stating similar perspectives by the Maoists and the Nepal government,

Pledging for progressive restructuring of the state by resolving prevailing problems related with class, ethnicity, regional and gender differences,

Reiterating commitments to competitive multiparty democratic system, civil liberties, fundamental rights, human rights, complete press freedom, rule of law and all other norms and values of democratic system,

Guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the Nepalese people to cast their votes in the constituent assembly polls without any kind of fear,

By putting democracy, peace, prosperity, progressive social and economic transformation, independence, integrity, sovereignty and prestige of the state in the centre-stage and to implement the commitments made by both the sides to hold the election to constituent assembly by mid June 2007 in a free and fair manner, the following decisions have been taken from the meeting of the top leaders of the seven parties and the Maoists today, November 8, 2006.

I. Relating to the implementation of the past agreements

1.Implement all the agreements, understanding and code of conduct signed earlier - fully, sincerely and strongly

2. Form a high-level commission to investigate and publicise the whereabouts of citizens stated to have been disappeared by the state and the Maoists in the past

3.Accelerate the process of returning the houses, land and properties confiscated in the past. Ensure the environment so that displaced people would be able to return to their villages. For this purpose, committees would be formed in districts comprising representatives from both the sides. Complete all these works within one month.

4.Make public announcement regarding the withdrawal of all accusations and charges levelled by the state at the leaders and the cadres of the CPN (Maoist) and release all political prisoners from both the sides.

II. Relating to management of arms and army

In order to hold the elections to constituent assembly in a peaceful, free and fair environment and for democratisation and restructuring of the Nepali Army as per the feelings expressed in 12-point agreement, 8-point understanding, 25-point code of conduct and 5-point letter sent to the United Nations, the following works would be carried out:

Relating to Maoist army

1.As per the commitments expressed in the letter sent to the United Nations by the Nepal government and the Maoists on August 9, the combatants of the Maoists would be sent to following cantonments. The United Nations would do the necessary verification and monitoring of them.

Main camps would be in the following places

1. Kailali, 2. Surkhet, 3. Rolpa, 4. Palpa, 5. Kavre, 6. Sindhuli 7. Ilam. There would be three smaller camps located in the periphery of each of these main camps

1.All the arms and ammunitions would be securely stored in the camps except those needed for providing security of the camp after the Maoist combatants are sent to the cantonments. They will be put under a single lock system and the concerned side would keep the key of this lock. For the UN to monitor it, a device with siren as well as recording facility will be installed. When there is need to examine the stored arms, the UN would do so in the presence of the concerned side. Prepare the details of technology including camera for monitoring as per the agreement among the Nepal government, the Maoists and the United Nations.

2. On completion of cantonment of the Maoist combatants, Nepal government would take up the responsibility for providing ration and other facilities to them

3. The interim cabinet would form a special committee to carry out monitoring, integration and rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants

4.Make arrangement for the security of the Maoist leaders as per the agreement with the Nepal government

Relating to Nepali Army

1.The Nepali Army would be confined to the barracks as per the commitments of the letter sent to the United Nations. Guarantee that its arms would not be used for or against any side. Keep similar quantity of arms of the Nepali Army in the store, seal it with single-lock system and give the key to the concerned side. For the UN to monitor it, a device with siren as well as recording facility will be installed. When there is need to examine the stored arms, the UN would do so in the presence of the concerned side. Prepare the details of technology including camera for monitoring as per the agreement among the Nepal government, the Maoists and the United Nations..

2. The cabinet would control, mobilise and manage the Nepali Army as per the new Military Act. The interim cabinet would prepare and implement the detailed action plan of democratisation of the Nepali Army by taking suggestions from the concerned committee of the interim parliament. This includes works like determination of the right number of the Nepali Army, prepare the democratic structure reflecting the national and inclusive character, and train them on democratic principles and human rights values

3. Continue the works of the Nepali Army such as border security, security of the conservation areas, protected areas, banks, airport, power house, telephone tower, central secretariat and security of VIPs.

III. Relating to the subjects of the interim constitution

1. Relating to interim constitution

1. Finalise the interim constitution presented by the interim constitution drafting committee as per the agreements reached today

2. The reinstated House of Representatives would promulgate the interim constitution and the newly formed interim legislature would endorse it.

2. Relating to the monarchy

1. No rights on state administration would remain with the King

2. Bring the properties of the late King Birendra, late Queen Aishwarya and their family members under the control of the Nepal government and use it for the welfare purposes through a trust.

3. All properties acquired by King Gyanendra by the virtue of him being the King (like palaces of various places, forests and conservation areas, heritage having historical and archaeological importance) would be nationalised.

4. Determine the fate of the institution of monarchy by the first meeting of the Constituent Assembly through simple majority vote.

3. Relating to interim legislature (parliament)

The interim legislature would be unicameral of the following type:

i.There would be 209 members of the seven parties and others who are members of the present lower and upper house (excluding those who opposed the people’s movement). Since the Left Front does not have its representation in the current parliament, its representation in the interim parliament would be determined based on understanding.

ii. 73 members from the side of the Maoists

iii. 48 members from among the sister organisations and professional bodies, oppressed ethnic communities and regions and political personalities (to be nominated based on understanding)

(total number : 330)

But those who stood against the people’s movement would not be given membership in the interim parliament.

1. The reinstated House of Representatives and National Assembly would be dissolved once the formation of the interim parliament is complete.

2. The people’s government, people’s court run by the CPN (Maoist) would be dissolved on the day of the formation of the interim parliament.

3. Run the interim parliament as per the political understanding

Relating to interim government

1. Form the interim cabinet as per the understanding

2. Determine the work division and structure of the interim parliament as per understanding

3. The interim government would work as per the aspiration of the people’s movement, political understanding and culture of cooperation

5. Relating to judiciary

1. Follow the norms and values and concept of the independent judiciary

2. Make the judiciary committed to the aspiration of the people’s movement, democracy and interim constitution

3. Institute a constitutional court to finalise disputes regarding the constituent assembly

6. Relating to constitutional bodies

1. A new constitutional council will be formed that will include the Prime Minister, Chief Justice and the Speaker of the interim parliament, which will recommend appointments at the constitutional bodies. Such appointments will be based on specific criteria.

2. The appointments in the Election Commission will be completed on the basis of understanding.

7. Relating to local bodies

1. Interim local bodies will be formed in district, city and village level on the basis of agreement between the seven political parties and the Maoists.

8. Relating to citizenship problem

1. Distribute citizenship to all Nepalis who have been deprived of their citizenship certificate before the election of the constituent assembly

2. Considering mid-April 1990 as the base (cut off) year, all Nepalese citizens who were born before that date and have been continuously living in Nepal since then will be provided with citizenship certificate.

3. Other provisions regarding citizenship will be according to the provisions mentioned in the law.

9. Regarding the election of the constituent assembly

1. The interim cabinet will be given the authority to ascertain the date to hold the election of the constituent assembly by mid-June 2007.

2. The election of the constituent assembly will be based on mixed electoral system. 205 members will be elected through First-Past-The-Post system. 204 members will be elected as per the proportional representation system on the basis of votes won by the political parties. A law in this regard will be made after consultation with the Election Commission.

3. While appointing the candidates, the political parties should ensure proportional representation of oppressed groups, region, Madheshi, Women, Dalit and other groups.

4. 16 members will be nominated by the interim Council of Ministers from among distinguished persons.

5. The total number of members of the constitutional assembly will be 425.

6. Nepalese who are 18 years or above at the time when the interim constitution is promulgated will be eligible to vote.

7. Monitoring of the election of the constituent assembly will be done by the United Nations.

10. Structure of the state

1. To end discriminations based on class, ethnicity, lingual, gender, cultural, religion and region and to deconstruct the centralised and unitary structure of the state and to reconstruct it into an inclusive, democratic and forward looking state.

2. A high level commission will be formed to suggest on the restructuring of the state.

3. Final decision regarding the restructuring of the state will be made by the constituent assembly.

11. Directive principles of socio-economic transformation

1. To end all forms of feudalism, a common minimum program will be prepared for socio-economic transformation on the basis of mutual agreement and they will be implemented.

2. Formulate policies to implement scientific land reform program by doing away with the feudal land ownership.

3. To adopt policies that will protect and promote national industries and resources.

4. To ascertain the rights of the citizens on sectors like education, health, shelter, employment and food security.

5. Policies will be adopted to provide land and socio-economic security to backward groups like landless, bonded labourers, tillers, Haruwa-charuwa and other such groups, which are socio-economically backward.

6. To adopt policies to take strict actions against the people who have worked in government positions and have amassed huge amount of properties through corruption.

7. Prepare a common development concept that will help in socio-economic transformation of the country and will also assist in ensuring the country’s prosperity in a short period of time.

8. Follow policies ascertaining the professional rights of workers and increase investment on sectors like promoting industries, trade and export and increase employment and income generating opportunities.

IV. Relating to the management of the conflict victims

1. Provisions will be made for providing proper relief, respect and resettlement for the family members of the people who have died due to the conflict and for the ones who have been disabled.

2. Provide relief to the family members of the people who have been disappeared on the basis of the report presented by the investigation commission.

3. Carry out special programs to rehabilitate the people who have been displaced due to the conflict; to provide relief in case of destruction of private and public properties; and to reconstruct the destroyed infrastructures.

4. Conduct investigation about those who were involved in gross violation of human rights at the time of the conflict and those who committed crime against humanity. Form a high level Truth and Reconciliation Commission to create an environment for social reconciliation.

V. Miscellaneous

1. A high-level committee will be formed as per understanding to monitor if the agreement have been implemented.

2. The government will take action against anyone involved in acting against the code of conduct, agreement and laws.

3. At the time of the election of the constituent assembly, the political parties will be free to present their policies regarding republic, socio-economic transformation, referendum, election system and other such issues in which an agreement has not been reached now.

VI. Time Schedule

1. To conclude comprehensive peace agreement between Nepal government and the CPN (Maoists) by November 16, 2006

2. That all the Maoist combatants would gather into the camps by November 21, 2006 as stated in 2(1) and store the arms. The United Nations would do their verification and monitoring.

3. As stated in 2(5), the Nepali Army would remain confined in barrack by November 21, 2006 , keep the specified number of arms in the store and the United Nations would conduct its monitoring.

4. To complete the interim constitution by November 21, 2006

5. To promulgate the interim constitution by November 26, 2006 , establish the interim legislature and dissolve the House of Representatives and National Assembly

6. Form the interim cabinet by December 1, 2006

Signatories:

Prachanda
Chairman, CPN (Maoists)

Girija Prasad Koirala
Prime minister and president of the Nepali Congress

Madhav Kumar Nepal
General secretary of CPN (UML)

Sher Bahadur Deuba
President of Nepali Congress Democratic

Amik Sherchan
Deputy prime minister and chairman of People’s Front Nepal

Bharat Bimal Yadav
Vice president of NSP (Anandi Devi)

Narayan Man Bijukchhe
President of NWPP

C. P. Mainali
Chairman of Left Front

November 8, 2006

Note of dissent by the UML

Agreeing for the implementation of the subjects stated above as all other parties have agreement on those, our party has following differences:

1. The UML believes that the issue of whether to keep the monarchy or not should be determined

through the referendum along with the election to constituent assembly

2. The UML believes that it would be most democratic to adopt the proportional system for election to the constituent assembly.

Connection Failure

" Let's hope the outcome will be positive; and altogether it leading to a new Nepal. "

Amen!

I agree the moment is Prachanda's to savor. But, like I said earlier, now comes the tough part. I don't think politcal bubbles last long and this historic agreement has to be followed by action on the ground by both sides. I wish them the best of luck - I think they need it coz things could get worse in the short to medium run in the process of putting all these words into action before they get better in the long run when people actually see the final results of all this.

captain,
mero honewali ta hune kahile ho kahile!:(. so i thought, i would have some quality time with you and yours :P. didn't know you were single as well. let's do one thing, help me find mine, i will find you a chwank, intelligent, witty maiya for you, i swear! :P. then all four of us can go check Borat-the movie...how is that for a deal ? :P :P

please dont mind me rambling hai, i am soooooooooo happy for nepal. hehe :P. i think new nepal is being born.....wow!!!

LooTe

loote borat was fantastic man!!!!!!!! dont miss it.

A few hours of protests from Kathmanduites (mainly Patanes) have forced the mighty Prachanda and Maoists to cancel their program. If the program has gone ahead as scheduled, we would have a witnessed a major bloodsheds in the streets. And maybe the beginning of THE CIVIL WAR. It is time everybody relaize this and all concerned especially Maoists not provoke this fragile situation.

Loote -

You and single? Liar! :) Do you honestly expect be to believe that Sajha's own Giacomo Casanova does not have a girlfriend? Oh yeah, I get it, you don't have "a" gf - you have several! LOL!

Shattered Dreams - I watched Borat and liked it too. I thought I'd watch it again with Loote and her but he is trying to wiggle his way out of the situation by shameless lying. Thinks I am a threat or something ...hehe. Otherwise, what else can it be? ;)

kwalkhu - I think that shows the increasing maturity of the Maoists and of society in general. All those who thought Nepal was a failed state are being proved wrong. If this whole things works, we may be a shining example for the world.

Happy Thursday!

hahahahaha...captain
bud, me and casanova?---loote and casanova, oxymoron at its best.. hahaha....hmmm what about you then - a "silent lady killer"? wahahaha :P

so we both on the same boat hmmm...looks like only we two have to go for the movie..haha...not bad unless it's not "brokeback mountain" hahahahaha :P...
watch out hai captain, i may bump into your neck of the woods anytime, now that we have something in common ---so called singles :P

on a serious note,
we may take two sajha ladies along with us, what say? so, who's your pick? :P

shattered dreams,
yeah i heard the movie is awesome. i may check it out this weekend. i have watched some of his episodes and found him funny. :)

long live nepal!
ya'll have a good one!

LooTe

The TKP says it's a moment to cherish and be proud of:

- http://www.kantipuronline.com/kolnews.php?&nid=90917

Magnum opus

The democratic political parties and the Maoists have made all Nepalis proud by reaching the historic agreement to put an end to the 11-year old conflict. The agreement has heightened the image of Nepal and the Nepalis. It has once again proved that we are truly a peace-loving, affable people who know how to work out compromises. We have set an example in resolving conflict by fighting down an autocratic monarchy and at the same time resolving an armed insurgency that claimed over 13 thousands lives. The nation is now commending the vision of the political parties and the Maoists in entering into a 12-point agreement in November 2005, which paved the way to this historic agreement of November 2006. The democratic parties had run the risk of being outlawed by the then autocratic monarch for seeking a deal with 'terrorists'. On their part the Maoists took an unprecedented leap forward by deciding to seek their political objectives through peaceful means and in a democratic manner.

The leaders of the entire Seven-Party Alliance and the Maoists should be praised for their work. Very special commendations goes to President of the Nepali Congress Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Puspa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda. At this historic juncture, we should not forget the positive and encouraging role played by our neighbor India. The United Nations and the friendly countries of Europe also deserve appreciation for quite often facilitating and lubricating the peace process. The USA played a very important role in side-lining the king, but could not muster enough confidence in the communists in the course of the peace agreement. As the USA is one of our crucial friends and a big supporter, we expect the Maoists and the US to now work together at improving mutual their relations.

The agreement is definitely a magnum opus in the annals of our country, but the challenges have not ceased. There are still many hurdles to overcome before signing the peace accord, gathering in all the arms, locking them away, and keeping Maoist combatants inside the cantonments. If the Maoists fail to meet their announced intention of cantoning 35,000 combatants, their intentions will become seriously suspect. Furthermore, the Maoists have a great challenge ahead keeping their party intact until the elections to the Constituent Assembly and beyond. Constituting an 330-member interim parliament and forming the interim government will be difficult, mainly because of the time constraints. They have agreed to form an interim parliament by November 26, and the interim government by December 1. This will call for real efficiency and hard work on the part of the democratic parties and the Maoists. We hope, the political leaders will not fail the people, fail to live up to their expectations by implementing the historic agreement effectively and amicably.

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LOL Loote:) Dude, I am no such thing. The only thing I can kill these days is time with the fury of my keyboard ..he he.

" we may take two sajha ladies along with us, what say? so, who's your pick? :P"

I was half-expecting you to say something utpatyang like that, but if you knew me better, you'd know that as tempting as it is to answer that question, I wouldn't fall for it :) Nice try though ...haha haha.

BTW, where you from? [ and don't say Nepal :) ]

What do you all guys think about Maoist's recent activities in kathmandu entering people's house forcefully and demanding for food and shelters? Whoever don't follow and do whatever they ask for, they will get a threat. Is that fair?

All of the Maoists knows only how to loot and kill. They have been so used to with that.None of them has a good education. Do you guys think they will change???????? I don't think so.

"What do you all guys think about Maoist's recent activities in kathmandu entering people's house forcefully and demanding for food and shelters? Whoever don't follow and do whatever they ask for, they will get a threat. Is that fair? "

Shailendra - But they had to stop such activities because of public pressure. The Newa Liberation convention was canceled as a result. The thing about joining the mainstream is you can't get away with such blatant acts. Public opinion matters and the comrades had to bow to it.

"All of the Maoists knows only how to loot and kill. They have been so used to with that.None of them has a good education. Do you guys think they will change????????"

I don't know if they want to change but I think they are being forced to change. That is what this whole process is about. They have come a long way from the jungle. The acts of extortions and killings have already backfired and could probably affect them adversely in future elections if they don't stop them soon. One thing is pretty clear from this deal: Prachanda has been enjoying the limelight a lot and is not going back to the jungle. If he and his party want to live with the rest of society, they have got to play by some basic set of rules, which in this case are the agreements between them and the parties.

I personally feel things could get worse before they get better. The CA elections, the issue of the monarchy and the first general elections under the new constitution will bring much friction to the surface. But the end result of that process looks promising. If the leaders continue to show this level of maturity, whether by choice or public pressure, I have every reason to believe we are headed for a new, and hopefully stable, system in the long run.

But that said, the proof of the pudding lies in eating, and we should reserve final judgment till we see some traction on these points.

Wat the hell is going on people are discussing about politics and the fate of Nepal and these chaps are talking something nuisance.

The Nepali time is cautiously optimistic but warns of the dangers:

- http://www.nepalitimes.com/issue/322/Editorial/12729

Now, renounce violence

From Issue #322 (10 November 06 - 16 November 06)

The Maoist invasion of Kathmandu for Friday’s planned victory rally was a calculated move: the anger of Valley residents initially seemed to be acceptable collateral damage for a national show of force. Pushpa Kamal Dahal needed a chance to show his warriors the war was worth it.

In the beginning, some families who were coerced into feeding and sheltering rebel squads saw it as a price to pay for peace. But when, for the first time, Valley households got a feel for what has been a reality in the hinterland for years, they hit back.

Dahal called off his address to calm feelings in the capital, but in doing so lost any chance he had of using the rally as his party’s coming out celebration, a conversion from militarist force to mainstream outfit. The time is opportune for the rebels to signal their readiness to renounce violence, to publicly fulfil the promise made in last November’s 12-point understanding to join competitive politics.

Either that, or the Maoist supremo could decide to waste the opportunity presented by Tuesday’s midnight agreement and continue to keep his followers falsely motivated. This would be disastrous not just for the country but also for the Maoist goal of achieving political power through the ballot. The leadership has been late in counselling its fighters and workers of the course-correction at the top.

All peaceful forces are more than willing not to call Dahalji’s bluff when he speaks radically, as long as the subtext is ‘arms management’. Even the UML, which faces the gravest challenge from a Maoist party in competition, hopes the rebel group will use this agreement to launch its campaigning for constituent assembly elections.

Concessions by the political parties should not be underestimated by the Maoist leaders or anyone else. The seven parties have shown statesmanship in the willingness to give underground armed rebels equal status in an interim legislature and government. In return, Mr Dahal must now implement the agreement with due diligence and publicly reject violence.

The rebels have to go furthest in making the agreement a success. Even as guerrillas head for their seven cantonments, their leaders must rein in the militia which is causing havoc across the land and undermining the Maoists’ own support base.

From Baluwatar to Palungtar there will be relief only when Maoist fighters are confined with guns locked up in boxes fitted with UN sensors. If the government restores police chowkis, if the political parties at last muster the courage to go back to the villages, and if the Maoists make all this possible by renouncing violence, then it will truly be time to celebrate.