The govt will not extend `truce' with the Communist Maoists that ends today 10/28/04

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has said the government will not extend temporary truce that comes to an end today.

Talking to reporters at the tea reception organised by his party, Nepali Congress (Democratic) on the occasion of Bada Dashain festival Thursday afternoon, premier Deuba said there was no possibility of extending the period of 'truce' adopted by the government in response to a similar move by the Maoist.

The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) had declared that it would suspend all of its armed operations for nine days (October 20 through 28) during Dashain. The government later reciprocated the move.

Responding to another question, premier Deuba said it would be good if negotiations could be held (with the rebels). If peace talks could not take place, then the government would go for (parliamentary) polls, said the premier.

"There is no question of withholding elections if the talks don't take place for next ten years," he said. The Prime Minister also said that the government would make arrangements for security during the polls. He did not elaborate.

Thousands of NC (Democratic) activists, ruling coalition members and people from various walks of life had thronged the Birendra International Convention Center to take part in the reception. Senior leaders of the CPN (UML), Rastriya Prajatantra Party and Nepal Sadbhavana Party were present at the function.

Nepali Congress leader, late B. P. Koirala, had initiated the tradition of
hosting tea reception on the occasion of Bada Dashain upon his return from exile in India in 1977 with the slogan of `national unity and
reconciliation.'

Opposition Nepali Congress, however, said it would not organize the tea reception this year due to the adverse situation in the country.

A major coalition partner, CPN (UML), organised similar reception at its party headquarters at Balkhu on Tuesday.
nepalnews.com by Oct 28 04 Sphere: Related Content