23 Aug 2005 05:02:13 GMT
Source: ReutersKATHMANDU, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Nepal's main political parties said on Tuesday they were preparing to talk to Maoist rebels to plan joint protests against King Gyanendra, reversing an earlier decision to shun the guerrillas. The decision by the seven parties came after Maoist leader Prachanda last month agreed to key conditions set by them. Prachanda promised that the rebels would not target unarmed civilians, stop extortion and urged the parties to name negotiators for talks on a united campaign against the king. "The parties will set up a team for meeting the Maoists in due course," Gopal Man Shrestha, chief of the third biggest group, Nepali Congress (Democratic) party, told Reuters. Shrestha was speaking on behalf of the seven parties which held talks among themselves late on Monday and agreed to discuss joining hands with the rebels to restore democracy after King Gyanendra's dismissed the government and took power in February. "The Maoists have made some positive gestures. We'll first set up a panel of distinguished citizens to monitor whether those promises were translated into practice or not," Shrestha said, referring to Prachanda's offer. He said the parties would try to convince the rebels to give up violence and join peaceful pro-democracy rallies. Seven political parties that controlled more than 190 seats in the 205-member parliament dissolved in 2002 have been protesting against Gyanendra's Feb. 1 sacking of the multi-party government and assumption of absolute power. The Maoists have been fighting since 1996 to topple the Himalayan kingdom's constitutional monarchy and establish one-party communist rule. The king says his move to take power was prompted by the failure of squabbling parties to quell the increasingly deadly Maoist revolt in which more than 12,500 people have died. Violence has escalated despite his move. "The fact is neither the Maoists can win through violent means nor can the government crush the rebels militarily," Shrestha said. Nepal's key donors, including India, Britain and the United States, have urged the king to unite with political parties and restore democracy. But he is not close to any deal with the parties or the rebels. Sphere: Related Content
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