Nepal government, rebels ready to begin talks

athmandu, May 26: Nepal's government and Maoist rebels said today they were ready to begin their first talks in nearly three years to end an insurgency that has killed thousands of people.

Maoist negotiator Dev Gurung welcomed yesterday's cabinet decision to free hundreds of jailed rebels and investigate cases of people reported to have disappeared after being detained by security forces.

''This has helped ease the atmosphere and build confidence,'' Gurung said. ''We are ready to begin the dialogue now. It may start today or tomorrow.'' Pradip Gyanwali, a government negotiator, said the first formal talks could begin today.

''We have not fixed it yet but the meeting could be held even today,'' he told Reuters.

The first round of talks are supposed to prepare the ground for a meeting between rebel chief Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

Hopes for an end to Nepal's decade-long insurgency have been raised since a new multi-party government took power in Nepal last month following weeks of street protests against King Gyanendra. A ceasefire was agreed earlier this month.

Nepal's new parliament has already agreed to a key rebel demand -- the holding of elections for a special assembly to draft a new constitution and decide the future of the monarchy.

Both sides are preparing for the vote but have fixed no date.

The insurgency has claimed more than 13,000 lives and wrecked the economy of the impoverished Himalayan country. Previous peace talks failed in 2001 and 2003.

Reuters