KATHMANDU, Nepal, April 26 (UPI) -- Nepal's Maoists have agreed to lift blockades around the country if the restored parliament agrees to form a constituent assembly.
The Hindu newspaper said Thursday that the rebels had agreed to lift the blockades, in place around the capital Kathmandu and a number of other districts, in response to an appeal by Prime Minister-designate Girija Prasad Koirala, on the condition that the first meeting of the restored parliament agrees to set up a constituent assembly.
"I wish to make it clear that if the first meeting of the (restored) parliament does not take a positive decision on the declaration of an unconditional constituent assembly, we will be compelled to reimpose the blockade," said Prachanda leader of the Maoist rebels.
A news report said the Maoists' statement opens the door for renewed cooperation between the insurgents and the opposition seven-party alliance.
"The basis of this movement is the 12-point agreement and the promise of a peace process," said Krishna Pahadi, a human rights activist. "When it meets, parliament must address the task of achieving long-term peace. There is also the need to end impunity -- to not allow human rights violators to get away -- and to resolve the issue of monarchy."
Only an unconditional constituent assembly could provide the basis of tackling all these issues, the Maoists said.
A debate about the legal obstacles to forming a constituent assembly has begun in Kathmandu. During a meeting with foreign diplomats, the leaders of the seven-party alliance expressed concern that the Supreme Court might quash or stay any such attempt.
"(The) first step is for the parliament to amend preamble of the constitution to include a reference to a constituent assembly. The amended preamble should also state clearly the purpose of the constituent assembly," said Nepali lawyer Shambhu Thapa.
