President G.P.Koirala's interview with BBC Nepali Service, 10 April 2006

BBC Nepali Service: Maoist spokesman Krishna Bahadur Mahara has just said this movement is being conducted by the rebels and the parties jointly. What do you say?
GP Koirala: I don't know what Mahara had to say. I speak for myself, the Nepali Congress and the seven-party alliance. This movement is of the seven parties and is being conducted by us in a peaceful manner. It will move ahead peacefully and we don't really care what the Maoists say about it.

Are you saying the Maoists are not at all involved in this movement?
Yes that is what I mean—there is no involvement of the Maoists. We (the parties and Maoists) will be working together in the future but there is no such alliance now in place.

The Maoists have announced additional protest programs including highway blockades. What impact will this have on the parties' movement?
The Maoists held such programs in the past and we continued our protests even then. Now, too, we will carry on our movement. We are responsible for our own movement.

Mahara said you have not been open about the 12-point pact. What have you been hiding?
There has been no agreement between us and the Maoists, it is only an understanding. There is a big difference. My basic principles are for an end to autocratic rule, peace, full-fledged democracy and an independent, sovereign and prosperous Nepal . Under these principles we held talks with the Maoists on the 12-point understanding and also talks with the international community.

The Maoists have been encouraging your protesters to announce what they call ‘free areas'. What is the goal of this movement: a people's republic or reinstatement of parliament?
The seven parties' agenda right from the beginning was to reinstate parliament and form an all-party, constitutional government. That government will hold talks with the Maoists and then move toward a constituent assembly.

What will be the king's role?
This is something the king will have to decide for himself. If he fails to do so, I can only say this much: God save the king.

If the king invites you for dialogue, will you go?
I will not rush as soon as the king summons me. It is the king who will have to retreat to his old position, only then is dialogue possible. Otherwise, I am not going to go to him like a dog with its tail between its legs.