ID :
19394
Sat, 09/13/2008 - 19:13
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/19394
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Prachanda assures security for Indian joint ventures in Nepal
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, Sept 13 (PTI) Asserting that he aimed to take
Indo-Nepal ties to a "new height" and build an atmosphere of
confidence, Nepalese Premier Pushpa Kumar Dahal 'Prachanda'
Saturday assured enhanced security for Indian joint ventures
and other multi-national companies in the Himalayan state.
Ahead of his first visit to India after becoming the
prime minister, Prachanda said he also aimed to discuss review
of the 1950 trade and transit treaty as well as other past
agreements, including the Kosi agreement signed in 1954.
"I firmly believe that the 1950 treaty should be replaced
by a new treaty and during my parleys in New Delhi we will
discuss the matters, as also the Kosi agreement," he said.
"I understand that the government of India also holds
positive views in this regard," he added.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, days ahead of his
visit, Prachanda said the country's new Constitution would be
drafted within a year and a half by consensus of all political
parties.
He said Kathmandu would seek New Delhi's help in drafting
of the Constitution as also to give boost to the landlocked
country's economy.
On the security problems facing Indian joint ventures in
Nepal, the Maoist leader said his government was committed to
building a conducive atmosphere for investors by maintaining
industrial security and peace.
Admitting there was some anarchy and law and order
problem in the country leading to rising labour unrest,
Prachanda attributed them to Nepal's emergence from an armed
struggle.
He claimed that the situation has improved since the new
government took office and said steps have been initiated to
resolve issues like labour unrest and shut down facing some
industries.
Elaborating on the 1950 treaty, the former rebel leader
said,"I firmly believe that the 1950 treaty should be replaced
by a new treaty as per the changing need of time," adding,
"it needs re-evaluation."
He said another major issue to figure in his talks with
Indian leaders would be to provide immediate relief and
maintenance of the Kosi barrage. Recent floods in the river
have caused dislocation of hundreds of thousands of people on
both sides of the border and immense damage to livestock and
property.
Along with handing out assurance of enhanced security for
industrial ventures, the Maoist leader allayed fears making it
clear that his government would not undertake nationalisation
of personal property or impose land sealing or put an upper
limit in personal property.
"We don't have a policy to capture personal assets or
land as we are committed in not interfering in personal
liberty. We are committed to decide everything on the basis of
consensus among the coalition partners," he said.
Before his visit, Prachanda also sought to clear the air
about confrontation between his Maoist cadres and the Army.
"There was direct confrontation between the Nepal's Army
and the People's Liberation Army of the Maoists in the past.
My party's fight was not really with the army but with feudal
elements, monarchy and dictatorship," he said.
But with a change of time, the Nepalese prime minister
said, both the Nepalese Army and his erstwhile party cadres
have to work together for nation building.
Prachanda also opposed the prolonged stay of the deposed
King Gyanendra at the Nagarjuna Hill resort.
"It is not appropriate for former King Gyanndra to stay
at the resort for a longer period. He will have to shift to a
new place very soon," he said.
Government had provided the Nagarjuna resort, situated
seven km west of Kathmandu for a temporary basis after he
vacated Narayanhiti Palace, said Prachanda.
Expressing his commitment to multiparty democracy and
competitive politics he said, "we have already expressed our
commitment towards multiparty competition during the period
of armed struggle."
Recalling his association with India from the time of
signing of a 12-point understanding with other political
parties in Delhi, Prachanda said India had played a "very
positive role" right through to the Constituent Assembly
election to forming a new republican government.
He said he wanted India to continue to play such a
constructive role and to further develop understanding and
cooperation in taking the peace process to its logical
conclusion, to drafting the new constitution and moving Nepal
forward in the path of economic prosperity.
Prachanda would be accompanied by his wife Sita, Foreign
Minister Upendra Yadav, Water Resources Minister Bishnu
Poudyal, Information Minster K B Mahara and Commerce minister
Rajendra Mahato during his five-day visit starting tomorrow.
Kathmandu, Sept 13 (PTI) Asserting that he aimed to take
Indo-Nepal ties to a "new height" and build an atmosphere of
confidence, Nepalese Premier Pushpa Kumar Dahal 'Prachanda'
Saturday assured enhanced security for Indian joint ventures
and other multi-national companies in the Himalayan state.
Ahead of his first visit to India after becoming the
prime minister, Prachanda said he also aimed to discuss review
of the 1950 trade and transit treaty as well as other past
agreements, including the Kosi agreement signed in 1954.
"I firmly believe that the 1950 treaty should be replaced
by a new treaty and during my parleys in New Delhi we will
discuss the matters, as also the Kosi agreement," he said.
"I understand that the government of India also holds
positive views in this regard," he added.
In an exclusive interview to PTI, days ahead of his
visit, Prachanda said the country's new Constitution would be
drafted within a year and a half by consensus of all political
parties.
He said Kathmandu would seek New Delhi's help in drafting
of the Constitution as also to give boost to the landlocked
country's economy.
On the security problems facing Indian joint ventures in
Nepal, the Maoist leader said his government was committed to
building a conducive atmosphere for investors by maintaining
industrial security and peace.
Admitting there was some anarchy and law and order
problem in the country leading to rising labour unrest,
Prachanda attributed them to Nepal's emergence from an armed
struggle.
He claimed that the situation has improved since the new
government took office and said steps have been initiated to
resolve issues like labour unrest and shut down facing some
industries.
Elaborating on the 1950 treaty, the former rebel leader
said,"I firmly believe that the 1950 treaty should be replaced
by a new treaty as per the changing need of time," adding,
"it needs re-evaluation."
He said another major issue to figure in his talks with
Indian leaders would be to provide immediate relief and
maintenance of the Kosi barrage. Recent floods in the river
have caused dislocation of hundreds of thousands of people on
both sides of the border and immense damage to livestock and
property.
Along with handing out assurance of enhanced security for
industrial ventures, the Maoist leader allayed fears making it
clear that his government would not undertake nationalisation
of personal property or impose land sealing or put an upper
limit in personal property.
"We don't have a policy to capture personal assets or
land as we are committed in not interfering in personal
liberty. We are committed to decide everything on the basis of
consensus among the coalition partners," he said.
Before his visit, Prachanda also sought to clear the air
about confrontation between his Maoist cadres and the Army.
"There was direct confrontation between the Nepal's Army
and the People's Liberation Army of the Maoists in the past.
My party's fight was not really with the army but with feudal
elements, monarchy and dictatorship," he said.
But with a change of time, the Nepalese prime minister
said, both the Nepalese Army and his erstwhile party cadres
have to work together for nation building.
Prachanda also opposed the prolonged stay of the deposed
King Gyanendra at the Nagarjuna Hill resort.
"It is not appropriate for former King Gyanndra to stay
at the resort for a longer period. He will have to shift to a
new place very soon," he said.
Government had provided the Nagarjuna resort, situated
seven km west of Kathmandu for a temporary basis after he
vacated Narayanhiti Palace, said Prachanda.
Expressing his commitment to multiparty democracy and
competitive politics he said, "we have already expressed our
commitment towards multiparty competition during the period
of armed struggle."
Recalling his association with India from the time of
signing of a 12-point understanding with other political
parties in Delhi, Prachanda said India had played a "very
positive role" right through to the Constituent Assembly
election to forming a new republican government.
He said he wanted India to continue to play such a
constructive role and to further develop understanding and
cooperation in taking the peace process to its logical
conclusion, to drafting the new constitution and moving Nepal
forward in the path of economic prosperity.
Prachanda would be accompanied by his wife Sita, Foreign
Minister Upendra Yadav, Water Resources Minister Bishnu
Poudyal, Information Minster K B Mahara and Commerce minister
Rajendra Mahato during his five-day visit starting tomorrow.
