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Posted
on 21-Apr-01 01:01 PM
Army chief calls for ‘national consensus’ Puts onus on Govt, political parties
By Utpal Raj Misra
KATHMANDU, April 20 - Chief of the Army Staff General Prajwalla Shumsher Rana today categorically said that the Royal Nepal Army was willing to be deployed in strife-torn districts to maintain peace but only if there was "national consensus" on the matter.
Addressing senior army officers and others present at a ceremony marking the convocation day of the Eight Command and Staff Course, at the Royal Nepal Army (RNA)Command and Staff College at Sivapuri on Friday, Gen. Rana said, "If the army is to be used in maintaining peace and order, then there must be national consensus."
The comments come at a time when the government has already announced plans to send the army in Maoist-affected western districts to ensure peace during the soon-to-be implemented Integrated Security and Defense Package (ISDP).
The army is an important part of the package, but Gen. Rana’s comments raise questions whether the army would be deployed in the districts without firm commitments and support from all political parties. At the moment only the Nepali Congress government is in support of sending the army in strife-torn districts. The main opposition CPN(UML) is against, as is a host of other smaller parties.
"It cannot be denied that the army can be mobilized to ensure peace, security and development programmes in the country to strengthen the national interest," Gen. Rana said. "...But we must not forget that without clear policy goals and directions from His Majesty’s Government, and without strong support from all political parties, it is difficult to ensure the success of any national security or development programme. Therefore, if the army is to be used in internal security and development programmes, then there must be strong and long-term support from the common people and all political parties."
Rana also raised concerns over the different comments raised over the role of RNA in this time of crisis in the country and said that it was necessary for the RNA officials to be fully aware of RNA’s stand in the matter.
"Primarily it is the moral responsibility of the political parties to strive for political stability and good governance in the country," Rana said. "RNA is not a party device but a national institution. It is an apolitical institution which has a glorious history...therefore the army should be used only for national interest. It is imperative that the national interest be identified urgently."
The army chief also quoted His Majesty the King’s address to the nation made during the Nepali New Year, which said, " Development is not possible without peace and security and without development the society cannot progress. Since it is the responsibility of a nation to institutionalize lawful system and to ensure security and freedom of the people, it is today’s need to make a strong foundation for better future by removing social and economic anomalies by ensuring political stability and good governance."
Rana said: I understand that it is the duty of all the Nepalis including all the political parties to put into practice the spirit of the message.
During the ceremony Rana also presented certificates to the 35 officers who successfully completed their Command and Staff Training from the staff college.
Earlier addressing the ceremony Commandant of the Staff College Kiran Shumsher Thapa explained the objective of Command and Staff Course and the facilities of the college, which completed its eight years this year.
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