Govt-Maoists peace talks: Optimistic of breakthrough

Kathmandu, Nov 6: The peace talks between the Government and the Maoists, which were postponed about a month ago, will resume here today.

An informal meeting was held between Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, Maoists Chairman Prachanda and UN Secretary General's personal representative Ian Martin yesterday. It is learnt that they discussed the issue of arms management.

Shekhar Koirala, a Nepali Congress leader, said the meeting would help solve the problem of arms management and other issues like the future of monarchy and, the interim statute would also be addressed.

''Today's talks will sort out all the contentious issues'', he said in an interview with a private television channel, adding that the government and the Maoists have reached a pact on arms management and formation of an interim government.

Maoists have agreed that their arms will be locked up with a single lock in temporary camps and the key to it will be handled by the Maoist commander in the camp.''It will be monitored by the UN and there will be an arrangement of a siren system that will begin to work and give sounds in the monitoring office if someone tries to open or break the lock,'' a local newspaper said.

Meanwhile Maoists supremo Prachanda has said the Government andthe rebels have reached an agreement and issues will be solved in today's meeting.

Talking to mediapersons in Kaski district, he said the NC, UML and the Maoists will have equal share in the interim government.

UNI

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