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Bid to defuse Nepal military row Bid to defuse Nepal military row
(about 1 hour later)
The leader of the Maoist former rebel army in Nepal says the government, now led by his party, has no plans to sack the head of the national army.The leader of the Maoist former rebel army in Nepal says the government, now led by his party, has no plans to sack the head of the national army.
Tensions have been rising between the defence ministry and the army chief leading to speculation that the government would remove him.Tensions have been rising between the defence ministry and the army chief leading to speculation that the government would remove him.
The army and the Maoists fought against each other for 10 years until 2006.The army and the Maoists fought against each other for 10 years until 2006.
The confrontation is the most serious between the two institutions since the Maoists won elections last year.The confrontation is the most serious between the two institutions since the Maoists won elections last year.
In a rare interview, the Maoist military chief Nanda Kishor Pun, known as Comrade Pasang, appeared to defuse the current tensions between the Maoist defence minister and General Rukmangad Katuwal, the royalist chief of the Nepal Army.In a rare interview, the Maoist military chief Nanda Kishor Pun, known as Comrade Pasang, appeared to defuse the current tensions between the Maoist defence minister and General Rukmangad Katuwal, the royalist chief of the Nepal Army.
Gen Katuwal has gone on a recruitment drive which the Maoists and the United Nations say breaches the peace accords.Gen Katuwal has gone on a recruitment drive which the Maoists and the United Nations say breaches the peace accords.
'Political background''Political background'
Mr Pasang, however, said the army chief's job is not under threat.Mr Pasang, however, said the army chief's job is not under threat.
"The Maoists are not trying to remove him. But the Maoists want to change the army and bring it under civilian control, to have it obey the government's orders," he said."The Maoists are not trying to remove him. But the Maoists want to change the army and bring it under civilian control, to have it obey the government's orders," he said.
The row is a symptom of the biggest unresolved issue of the peace process: whether and how to integrate the Maoists' own army with the national one.The row is a symptom of the biggest unresolved issue of the peace process: whether and how to integrate the Maoists' own army with the national one.
Many of the 19,000 former rebel fighters, currently demobilised in camps, want to join the army. Many of the 19,000 former rebel fighters, currently demobilised in camps, want to join the army.Mr Pasang says soldiers with 'political background' will follow civilian ordersBut Gen Katuwal says he will not accept "politically indoctrinated soldiers" into its ranks.
But Gen Katuwal says he will not accept "politically indoctrinated soldiers" into its ranks.
Mr Pasang said only soldiers who come from a "political background" will follow civilian orders.Mr Pasang said only soldiers who come from a "political background" will follow civilian orders.
Unlike the better known Maoist civilian leaders, Mr Pasang, a former teacher from impoverished western Nepal, took part in many key battles of the 10-year war.Unlike the better known Maoist civilian leaders, Mr Pasang, a former teacher from impoverished western Nepal, took part in many key battles of the 10-year war.
He said that once the new constitution was drawn up, giving "full rights to the people", the Maoist military would feel it had achieved its goals.He said that once the new constitution was drawn up, giving "full rights to the people", the Maoist military would feel it had achieved its goals.
The Maoist army, called the People's Liberation Army or PLA, wants some sort of union that allows its top commanders to keep high ranks, and keep a discreet PLA unit.The Maoist army, called the People's Liberation Army or PLA, wants some sort of union that allows its top commanders to keep high ranks, and keep a discreet PLA unit.
A separate hard line faction in the party wants to avoid integration altogether, keeping the PLA entirely intact.A separate hard line faction in the party wants to avoid integration altogether, keeping the PLA entirely intact.