Nepalese Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala Sunday outlined his strategy to end a five-year Maoist insugency.
The plan includes reaching a consensus of all political parties, direct talks with the Maoists, economic packages for Maoist-influenced regions and the deployment of an armed security police force against the rebels, Koirala said in a talk to journalists at a function sponsored by the Reporters Club-Nepal.
The Maoist insurgency has claimed nearly 1,600 lives since the rebels launched their "people's war" in 1996 to overthrow Nepal's constitutional monarchy and multi-party democracy.
Koirala said his government would use an armed police force to tackle the Maoists and would enlist the help of the army if necessary.
Answering a query about a proposed ordinance to establish a 15,500 strong armed security police force, the prime minister said it would be announced soon after King Birendra approved it.
Asked whether Nepal was going to change its foreign policy, Koirala said: "We are emphasising economic diplomacy for the alleviation of poverty in Nepal."
Turining to party politics, Koirala said a rift in his ruling Nepali Congress party would be healed after its four-day national convention which begins on Friday in Pokhara, west of here.
He said the younger generation was impatient to rise to party leadership.
At the convention at least 50 percent of party central working committee members would be elected from district level delegates.
Koirala said he would nominate the remaining members.
Former prime minister and leader of the dissident party faction MP Sher Bahadur Deuba has opposed Koirala's plan. The dissidents want party leaders barred from holding two posts, like Koirala who is prime minister and party president, although Koirala is refusing to step down from either position.
Deuba and 56 dissident MPs failed to oust Koirala in a motion of no-confidence earlier this month -- KATHMANDU (AFP)
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