NEPAL: Nepal's government and Maoist rebels may put the final touches on a peace deal over the weekend as peace talks are extended

Nepal's government and Maoist rebels said on Thursday (October 12) they may put the final touches on a peace agreement over the weekend. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist chief Prachanda had been expected to sew up a deal during talks. But government negotiator Krishna Prasad Situala told reporters it needed more time to finalise an agreement on all political issues in the package. The Maoists also said they did not want to hurry a deal. Both parties agreed to reconvene for talks on Sunday (October 14). The talks between the government and rebels in Kathmandu came to an end after just two hours, but at a news conference both sides said positive progress had been made. "It is the opinion of all the leaders to come to a consensus in all the issues" Sitaula said. Sitaula said both sides are aware of the pressures to come up with a peace plan. "The average Nepali is keenly watching the progress of the talks and wants them to be a success" he said. The leader of the Maoist negotiating team Krishna Bahadur Mahara was also positive after the talks. "Politically, we are in the process of achieving a great success." Mahara told reports at a news conference The peace process that began in May was stalled for months due to differences over disarming the rebel army and the future of the monarchy in the Himalayan nation. Although the two sides were unable to settle the thorny dispute over whether the 35,000 guerrillas would lay down their arms before joining an interim administration, they have remained upbeat about resolving the issue. Although were still many contentious issues heading into the latest round of talks between the two parties, Mahara said he is confident that all issues will be dealt with. "The differences seen till yesterday have been narrowing. It seems we are approaching the consensus, but we haven't still reached that stage." he said. Both sides have been observing a ceasefire for more than five months and agreed to confine their armies to camps or barracks under U.N. supervision during the constituent assembly elections they have agreed to hold by June 2007. The differences have dogged the peace process that started in May after King Gyanendra relinquished absolute power and restored democracy following weeks of often violent protests. Tourism Minister Pradip Gyanwali said there has been no talk of the King being involved in any new peace or governing arrangements. "No political powers should be given to the monarchy during this transitional period, you see during this interim period and the destiny of the monarchy will be decided either by referendum or by constituent assembly meeting. We are discussing what would be the final step to decide the destiny of the monarchy," Gyanwali told reporters Some members of the ruling coalition say the rebels must disarm before joining the interim cabinet that will supervise the planned vote for the assembly which will draft a new constitution. For their part, the rebels want the monarchy to be abolished or suspended before they join any interim government. More than 13,000 people have died since the Maoists began an armed campaign in 1996 to turn Nepal into a communist state.

ITN Source | October 13, 2006

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