bad_meetz_evil
04-28-2006, 08:42 AM
http://i.a.cnn.net/cnn/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/04/27/nepal.parliament/story.koirala.ap.jpg
KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- After three weeks of protests and political turmoil, Nepal now has a new prime minister, and the Himalayan nation's parliament is set to reconvene Friday for the first time in four years.
Girija Prasad Koirala, who was nominated to be prime minister by the seven political parties behind the wave of protests, was formally appointed to the post Thursday by King Gyanendra, according to the Royal Palace.
However, because Koirala was ill, it was unclear if he would attend Friday's parliamentary session to be sworn in.
Gyanendra seized absolute power in February 2005, saying the government had not done enough to control a Maoist insurgency that has claimed 13,000 lives in the past decade.
But after three weeks of sometimes violent demonstrations, the king agreed late Monday to reinstate the parliament, which has not met since 2002. (Full story)
Lawmakers are expected to form a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution, which could curtail the king's powers.
Earlier Thursday, the leader of the Maoist rebels, Prachanda, declared a three-month cease fire to give the new government a chance to set up the assembly and deal with other issues. His action came after a meeting with Koirala.
Prachanda, who uses just one name, said in a statement that the cease-fire reflected the rebels' commitment to the people's desire for peace, according to a report on his statement aired by state-run television.
Significantly, state-run television did not refer to the Maoists as "terrorists," as had been its usual practice.
The rebels wanted to give the new government a chance to set up a constituent assembly and deal with other issues, leader Prachanda said.
The rebels have declared cease-fires three times, according to The Associated Press, but none of them resulted in any significant progress toward a permanent peace.
On Wednesday, the rebels agreed to end their blockade of key highways, which was part of the protests.
The blockade and protests paralyzed Kathmandu, causing shortages of food and goods, and forcing residents in the city of 1.5 million to shop during the brief times curfews were lifted.
Parliament is expected to form a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution.
The king's opponents want to strip the monarchy's name from the army -- now the Royal Nepalese Army -- and other government entities.
The army chief told CNN's Satinder Bindra late Monday he was even prepared to consider a role for the Maoists in the Royal Nepalese Army.
"Anything for peace," he said.
Most opposition leaders favor a constitution that would give Nepal a ceremonial monarchy, or simply eliminate the royalty completely.
The opposition also hope to rescind laws imposed by the king during his 14 months of rule, implement a high commission to prosecute cases of excessive force and provide financial assistance to the families of those killed during pro-democracy clashes.
KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) -- After three weeks of protests and political turmoil, Nepal now has a new prime minister, and the Himalayan nation's parliament is set to reconvene Friday for the first time in four years.
Girija Prasad Koirala, who was nominated to be prime minister by the seven political parties behind the wave of protests, was formally appointed to the post Thursday by King Gyanendra, according to the Royal Palace.
However, because Koirala was ill, it was unclear if he would attend Friday's parliamentary session to be sworn in.
Gyanendra seized absolute power in February 2005, saying the government had not done enough to control a Maoist insurgency that has claimed 13,000 lives in the past decade.
But after three weeks of sometimes violent demonstrations, the king agreed late Monday to reinstate the parliament, which has not met since 2002. (Full story)
Lawmakers are expected to form a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution, which could curtail the king's powers.
Earlier Thursday, the leader of the Maoist rebels, Prachanda, declared a three-month cease fire to give the new government a chance to set up the assembly and deal with other issues. His action came after a meeting with Koirala.
Prachanda, who uses just one name, said in a statement that the cease-fire reflected the rebels' commitment to the people's desire for peace, according to a report on his statement aired by state-run television.
Significantly, state-run television did not refer to the Maoists as "terrorists," as had been its usual practice.
The rebels wanted to give the new government a chance to set up a constituent assembly and deal with other issues, leader Prachanda said.
The rebels have declared cease-fires three times, according to The Associated Press, but none of them resulted in any significant progress toward a permanent peace.
On Wednesday, the rebels agreed to end their blockade of key highways, which was part of the protests.
The blockade and protests paralyzed Kathmandu, causing shortages of food and goods, and forcing residents in the city of 1.5 million to shop during the brief times curfews were lifted.
Parliament is expected to form a constituent assembly that would draft a new constitution.
The king's opponents want to strip the monarchy's name from the army -- now the Royal Nepalese Army -- and other government entities.
The army chief told CNN's Satinder Bindra late Monday he was even prepared to consider a role for the Maoists in the Royal Nepalese Army.
"Anything for peace," he said.
Most opposition leaders favor a constitution that would give Nepal a ceremonial monarchy, or simply eliminate the royalty completely.
The opposition also hope to rescind laws imposed by the king during his 14 months of rule, implement a high commission to prosecute cases of excessive force and provide financial assistance to the families of those killed during pro-democracy clashes.