Dozen Rebels, Three Soldiers Killed in Fighting in Nepal - from TBO.com

"KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) - A clash between government troops and communist
rebels killed at least 15 people overnight in eastern Nepal, officials
said Tuesday, in the latest violence since the king imposed emergency
rule and vowed to bring the insurgency under control."

Thousands of soldiers were sweeping through the rebels' stronghold in the western mountains, destroying bases and ammunition dumps in an operation to flush out the insurgents.

The fighting comes two weeks after King Gyanendra dismissed the government, suspended civil liberties and declared an emergency. The king said the move was necessary to restore order and combat the communist insurgency, which has claimed more than 10,500 lives since 1996.

But he has come under increasing international pressure to restore democracy. Neighboring India said the king's power grab divided the country, undermining its fight against the rebels, and the United States, Britain, France and Germany have recalled their ambassadors.

The dozen rebels were gunned down overnight near Jante village, about 310 miles east of the capital, Katmandu. Three soldiers were killed and another one was reported missing in the clash, said the Royal Nepalese Army headquarters in Katmandu.

The government has said it would use force to resolve the conflict if the rebels refused to settle the issue peacefully.

"Our objective is to resolve the problem whether it is by talks or through an armed solution. The government will not hesitate to use any means to resolve the problem," Tulsi Giri, told reporters Monday after the king appointed him vice chairman of his new Cabinet.

The guerrillas, who say they are inspired by Chinese revolutionary leader Mao Zedong, have been fighting to turn Nepal into a communist state. They have said that the king's imposition of emergency rule on Feb. 1 has ended any possibility of peace talks.

K. Natwar Singh, India's External Affairs Minister, said the king had sparked a confrontation between the monarchy and political parties - a fray that would benefit only the Maoist rebels. India worries that an unstable Nepal could send refugees or militants spilling across the border.

Singh urged the monarch to release scores of political prisoners, restore press freedom and take steps to restore democratic rule, according to a ministry statement.

"We have to deal with whatever government is in office, but our sympathies lie with the democratic forces in that country," Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran said Monday.

The United States recalled its ambassador for a week to discuss next steps in the crisis, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

"We remain deeply troubled by developments in Nepal," Boucher said, adding that the king needs to "restore and protect civil and human rights, promptly release those detained under the state of emergency and move quickly toward the restoration of civil liberties."

Britain, France and Germany were among European nations were also recalling their ambassadors.

AP-ES-02-15-05 0212ES Sphere: Related Content