Former Nepal army head denies responsibility for chaos

By Joanna Jolly 

BBC News, Kathmandu

Nepal's retired army chief, who refused to admit former Maoist rebels into the army, has said he is not responsible for the instability that followed.

Gen Rookmangud Katawal told the BBC that despite major differences between the army and the Maoists, he believed the peace process was still on track.

The former Maoist Prime Minister, Prachanda, unsuccessfully attempted to remove Gen Katawal over the issue.

Prachanda later resigned leading to the collapse of the Maoist government.

Fighters' fate

"I don't think I'm responsible for all that that's happened. I don't want to come into any political controversy, as a man in uniform and even after I retire," Gen Katawal said.

The integration of Maoist fighters into Nepal's army has become the main sticking point of the peace agreement, which is looking increasingly fragile.

It was the general's insistence that the army would not admit a large group of Maoist fighters - a key understanding of the 2006 peace accord - that sparked the row that led to the fall of the Maoist government in May last year.

But Gen Katawal remained firm that the army would not accept a large number of former Maoists into its ranks.

"I don't think it would be a good idea and I don't think it would do anything good to the institution or to the country to accept them in groups.

"Probably the national army may lose its national characteristic - neutral characteristic, apolitical nature of the army," he said.

Confidence in peace

Despite having retired last year, Gen Katawal is still very much a political player in Nepal.

As the ex-army chief of staff, he maintains close ties with his former employer.

However, the general also said that it was important that the peace process in Nepal should not fail.

"If everybody gets together, and is honest, and everybody is sincere enough and they all commit to the issue of non-violence, fundamental human rights and the democratic political system, I don't think the peace process will be out of the league," he said.

More than 13,000 people died during the country's 10-year civil conflict between Maoist rebels and the state.

Gen Katawal said it was important not to return to violence.

He also spoke out on the issue of justice for human rights violations committed during the conflict. A number of soldiers have been accused of crimes such as murder and rape, but so far the army has prevented its members from being brought to trial.

Gen Katawal said the army was sincere about human rights and was not above the law, but that all allegations had to be proved first.

The Maoists ended their decade-long armed struggle in Nepal three years ago when they decided to enter the peace process.

They won general elections in 2008.