Nepal's Maoists are waiting for formal "government letter" before negotiation

Sep 23 04

As the government formally called the Maoist rebels for peace negotiations Wednesday, a leading human rights activist has said the rebels are waiting for formal letter from the authorities.

Speaking at a programme organised by a group of civil society in mid-western town of Nepalgunj Wednesday, Tuladhar said the rebels could agree to hold talks with the government if the latter extended them a formal invitation.

A former facilitator between the government and rebels during the failed peace talks last year, Tuladhar said he had received a phone call from Maoist chairman, Prachanda, saying that his party was not against holding talks with the present government.

He even alleged the government of spreading rumour that the Maoists were not serious towards talks.

He also emphasized the need for UN mediation for peace talks, reports said.

On Wednesday, the high-level peace talks committee comprising leaders of four parties in the ruling coalition and Minister for Information and Communications, Dr. Mohammed Mohsin, considered to a royal representative, had formally called the rebels to come to the table of negotiations.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba-- who heads the committee-- however, told reporters that the process of the proposed negotiations would be kept secret.

Earlier, the rebels had said they would hold negotiations only with the
'master' (the King), not with the `servant' (the royal-appointed government). nepalnews.com by Sep 23 04 Sphere: Related Content