New Nepalese constitution likely in 18 months

Nepal could rewrite its constitution within 18 months to meet a key demand of communist rebels who joined the political opposition in a campaign that forced King Gyanendra to relinquish power, the new deputy prime minister said.

But bringing a permanent end to Nepal’s communist insurgency could take longer unless the rebel chief personally joins peace talks with the government rather than sending emissaries, deputy prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli said today.

Oli offered the first timeline for plans to rewrite the constitution, saying “a constituent assembly within 12 months, and within 18 months a constitution will be formulated. This is my calculation".

Oli said the king’s role in government would be decided by the assembly, which will be chosen by the people.

But he added: “Of course ... each and every institution should prove itself and its relevance. Each and every institution should win over the hearts and minds of the people. The people’s verdict should be accepted.”

Writing a new constitution – which could limit the king’s role or eliminate the monarchy altogether – is a key demand not only of the rebels, but of the alliance of the country’s seven main political parties that the insurgents joined in an alliance of convenience that last month forced Gyanendra to end his 14-month authoritarian rule.

Gyanendra reinstated Parliament, which reconvened on April 28, and appointed a prime minister selected by the political parties.

Oli also said a new constitution would scrap the description of Nepal as a “Hindu kingdom,” turning the country into a secular state.

“We have committed that Nepal will be a secular state. We want to adhere to that and we will try our best to fulfil the demands of a secular state,” he said.

The new government must now forge a permanent end to the decade-old communist insurgency, possibly by bringing the insurgents into the political mainstream.

Oli said the process would be expedited if the Maoist leader Prachanda met in person with government negotiators, but the deputy prime minister acknowledged he had “no idea” on the whereabouts of the rebel chief.

On Wednesday, the rebels said their spokesman Krishna Mahara would head a three-member peace negotiating team. Mahara played a similar role during two unsuccessful attempts at finding peace in 2001 and 2003. No date has been set for talks.

Despite the cease-fire, sporadic rebel attacks have continued.

“They have to stop all these things they should also contribute to create a conducive atmosphere and favourable conditions for talks,” Oli said. “This is not only the government’s responsibility but they should understand that this is also their responsibility.”

Oli is the No.2 leader of Nepal’s new government and the foreign minister. Ailing 84-year-old Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been working at home because of health reasons.

Oli also pledged government security for the reclusive rebel chief, who has kept a low profile for more than a decade. “If they ask the government, (the) government will provide security for them,” he said.

The new government has matched the rebels’ unilateral three-month cease-fire and dropped terrorism charges against the Maoists. It has already met a key rebel demand that crippled past peace talks by agreeing to rewrite the constitution.

Since taking over, Koirala has legalised the rebels in an effort to disarm and bring them into the political mainstream.

However, the new constitution has become a sticking point between the two sides.

Parliament has committed to elections for a constituent assembly that will rewrite the constitution, but the Maoists want a new interim constitution immediately.