MAOIST CHIEF ADDRESSES SOECIAL SESSION IOF EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT Kathmandu, 16 Oct.: Chairman of UCPN (Maoist) Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Nepal´s whole national effort is currently focused on drafting and promulgating the constitution through democratic and inclusive means, which will institutionalize peace, stability, democracy and justice in the country, RSS reports... Addressing the special session of the European Parliament in Brussels on Monday, Chairman Dahal said the country is making a determined move along her chosen path to peace, democracy and social justice consistently and in an accelerated manner. "Political process that followed the CPA has been instrumental in creating a conducive atmosphere for the protection and promotion of human rights in the country", he said. Stating that the government led by the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) took bold steps to conclude the army integration process, Chairman Dahal said, however, due to lack of flexibility on the part of some adamant political forces to accommodate the issues and aspirations of janajatis, madhesis, dalits, oppressed class and people from backward communities political consensus has become difficult. "Unless major contentious issues like these are resolved, consensus on constitution writing will continue to be problematic. This, together with the issue of identity-based federation, is one of the most important reasons that the extended tenure of the CA expired without the delivery of a new constitution", Dahal said. He further said that the CA was also dissolved because of the unwillingness of the traditional parliamentary parties to part with the power and privileges hitherto enjoyed by them at the expense of the legitimate aspirations and rights of the downtrodden and marginalized people. Referring to the ongoing political transition, Chairman Dahal said in order to make Nepal´s transition viable we need to harness our domestic resources to create employment and income as well as international goodwill, support and assistance to come out of the conflict situation. Chairman Dahal said, "our friends in the international community can helps us not only through trade and aid but also through direct investment in the resources, tourism and industrial development, transport connectivity, information technology and other fields. Highlighting fundamental principles of Nepal´s foreign policy, he said our country´s conduct of foreign affairs is guided by our objectives of promoting friendly and cooperative relationship with neighbouring and all other countries around the world on the basis of equality, mutual respect, friendship and understanding. "Protecting and promoting our larger national interests constitute the core objective of our foreign policy and our diplomatic endeavours abroad", Dahal said. Stating that the EU member countries have a special relation with Nepal, the UCPN (Maoist) Chairman said continued support of the EU and its member countries were of immense value during the whole peace process, and expressed the conviction Nepal would continue to receive an enhanced level of goodwill, understanding, support and assistance as it moves ahead to address the needs of rehabilitation, reconstruction and development in the post conflict situation. On the occasion, Chairman Dahal also congratulated the people and the leadership of the European Union for winning this year´s Nobel peace Prize in recognition of its contribution to the promotion of peace, democracy and human rights not only within its borders but also around the world. Nnnn ________________________________________