Nepal: 12-Point Understanding Between Paliamentary Parties and Maoists

After months of discussion, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the seven sidelined parliamentary parties have reached a 12-point "understanding" about ending the monarchy and establishing a republic through the convocation of a constituent assembly. This is a major breakthrough and seems to spell the imminent end of the "absolutist monarchy" despite several points of contention that remain.

Of particular note, despite some rumors in the international press (attributed to leaders of the UML party), the Maoists have not promised to disarm, or said anything at all to that effect.

Full text of the 12-point agreement

A World To Win News Service writes: In recent weeks dramatic changes have taken place in the political landscape of Nepal. On November 21 an announcement was made of an agreement between the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), which has been leading a peoples war in that country for the last ten years, and seven political parties that oppose King Gyanendra. The seven parties had been represented in the parliament dissolved by Gyanendra last February and most had taken part in various governments since 1990. On December 3, Nepals capital Kathmandu witnessed the largest demonstration since 1990 as tens of thousands of people took to the streets to demand the abolition of the monarchy. A three-month cease-fire declared in September by the CPN(M) (but not respected by the reactionary Royal Nepal Army) was extended for an additional month. {read}