Govt-Maoists summit talks resume in Nepal

Kathmandu, Oct 12: The second summit talks between the Nepalese government and Maoists resumed today at Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala's residence with both sides confident of resolving the differences over contentious issues like the interim arrangements, the future of the monarchy and disarmament.

Prime Minister Koirala is expected to disclose a new proposal of resolving the crisis on these three issues.

''PM Koirala will table a three-point special proposal for the ongoing talks'', Ram Baran Yadav, a senior Nepali Congress leader told UNI, but did not elaborate on the proposal.

In a bid to reach the final political agreement, top leaders of Nepali Congress, CPN UML , Nepali Congress (Democratic) and Maoists had held talks at the PM's residence since this morning. Mr Koirala, former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, UML General Secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal and Maoist supremo Prachanda were present at the meeting, which lasted for more than three hours.

The Maoists had yesterday agreed to retain the King until the elections to Constituent Assembly on the condition that the properties of late King Birendra and King Gyanendra would be nationalized.

Members of civil society, religious and other organisations are sitting-in outside the PM's residence with placards and banners, urging both sides to make the talks conclusive.

The Govt-Maoists talks had started on Sunday and on Tuesday they had agreed to hold the election of Constituent assembly by either April or May next year.

UNI

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