The Army Issue Has To Be Discussed In The Parliament

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That was always the best way to do it. That was always the best idea. Now I am glad the Maoists are trying to get the duly elected parliament to talk about the army.

The president's decision to not recognize an out of process decision by Prachanda to sack Katuwal is under review by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court's decision will be final. The parliament may not undo that, except if two thirds of the parliament decides to impeach the president which I don't see happening.

So the Maoists are going to have to make peace with the idea that they do not have the option to undo the president's decision through the parliament.

What the Maoists should instead do is introduce a Security Sector Reform bill. The parliament would hold broad discussions on the topic.

1. Should or should not Nepal have an army at all?
2. If yes, how big should that army be? 20,000? 30,000? I'd go for 20,000.
3. What should be the ethnic and gender composition of that army? 40% female? Proportionate ethnic composition?
   
4. How much should the future Nepal Army draw from the existing Nepal Army and the Maoist Army? 20,000 NA? 3,000 PLA? 7,000 from elsewhere?
5. What to do with the other 80,000 NA soldiers and 17,000 PLA soldiers? Retrain them for private sector jobs? Send them off on scholarships to college? Give them loans to start businesses? Give them preference for foreign employment opportunities? Train them to be teachers and health care workers?
   
6. Democratize the Nepal Army, bring it completely under the parliament.

A bill passed by a parliamentary majority to address all these issues would be the best, perhaps the only way to integrate the two armies.

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MPRF leaders pressured not to split "All the 10 to 12 members speaking at the meeting have stressed the need for strong unity in the party," said party spokesperson Jitendra Dev. ...... "We joined this party with a view to making the party a national party while focusing on Madhes issues," said Dr Rawal. "So the party must maintain its unity." ...... Most of the members spoke in similar vein and cautioned the leaders not to split the party ..... The members, however, were still divided on whether the party should join the government. They suggested the party leadership join the government after taking a formal decision.
UML wants to keep Home, Finance “It would be unacceptable for us if members of the party are sent into government without the approval of the CWC.” ...... Another general secretary of the party, Bimalendra Nidhi, argued in the CWC that it was the duty of the party to join the government.
CMP, power sharing delays cabinet expansion The MPRF still looks deeply divided on who should lead the party in the government. Sensing the division in the leading Madhesi party Koirala told Gachchhadar that he would hold separate discussion with MPRF Chairman Upendra Yadav. ..... some dissenting voice within the NC regarding who should represent the party in the government.

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Is A Consensus Government Possible?

VP Jha For Consensus Govt NepalNews

I know it is desirable, but is it possible? Or is it even desirable?

Prachanda broke the consensus environment by taking a unilateral decision to sack the army chief. And instead of repenting, instead of saying sorry I messed up, he is running up and down the street to say he was right after all.

Maybe the army chief should be sacked. That's not the point. But he totally ignored his coalition partners and went ahead and declared that he has decided to sack the army chief.

Unless he admits to that mistake, how is consensus possible?

22 of the 24 parties in parliament have rallied behind Madhav Nepal. Now it it too late to form a 24 party government. Now the Maoists have to show they are capable of sitting in the opposition.

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