Nepal PM, rebels meet to rescue peace process

Kathmandu, Oct 8: Leaders of Nepal's ruling seven-party alliance and Maoist rebels began talks today, in a bid to rescue a peace process stalled by differences over disarming the guerrillas and the future of the monarchy.

Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and other party leaders formally met rebel chief Prachanda and top aides for the first time in nearly four months after the Maoist chief threatened to launch street protests if the talks were further delayed.

Officials said the meeting, taking place in Koirala's high-security official residence in Kathmandu, was expected to continue for a few days.

Outside the venue, about two dozen people held placards reading ''Dissolve parliament, create an interim legislature'' and ''Beware of foreign interference''.

''We need patience,'' Koirala told reporters on Friday.

''Everything will be positive and we will try to find a solution to all problems.'' Nepal's interim government, formed after King Gyanendra restored democracy following mass protests in April, and the Maoists, who have been waging a deadly insurgency to topple the monarchy, are in peace talks for nearly five months.

In June they struck a power-sharing deal envisaging an interim constitution, a temporary parliament and an interim cabinet including rebel participation within a month.

But none of these has yet been implemented.

''Yes, these matters are on the agenda. Leaders are expected to make a decision on them,'' one government negotiator said.

The interim government which the Maoists are expected to join is to supervise elections to a special assembly to draw up a new constitution, a key rebel condition to end their revolt.

''The government is wavering in implementing the deal,'' Prachanda said on Friday. ''It is trying to avoid progressive change in the country.'' The Maoists have been fighting since 1996 to turn the Himalayan nation into a communist republic - a conflict in which more than 13,000 people have been killed. They now say they will accept the outcome of the assembly vote.

Reuters

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