Envoys concerned over "negative" turn in Nepal peace

[Coventina]

Source: International Herald Tribune

KATHMANDU: Nepal's army and its one-time Maoist guerrilla foes are causing "negative developments" in the country's peace process by recruiting troops for their respective forces, Western diplomats say.

The Nepali army enlisted 2,800 recruits last year to fill vacancies, while a former Maoist rebel commander said last week the group had plans to recruit thousands of fighters in response to bring its ranks to the levels of 2006, when the peace deal was signed.

That agreement ended a decade-long civil war that caused more than 13,000 deaths. Under the pact the Maoists joined the political process, winning a parliamentary plurality in an election last year and then heading a governing coalition.

"Clear breaches of the spirit of the peace agreements had taken place with the recruitment campaigns carried out by the two armies," the British embassy said in a statement late on Sunday.



Read more: http://www.iht.com/articles/reuters/2009/03/09/europe/OUKWD-UK-NEPAL-MAOISTS-ARMY.php