Maoists ready for peace talks

Maoist insurgents, who have been waging an armed rebellion in Nepal for the last 10 years, announced on Thursday that they were now ready for peace talks with the newly-formed democratic government, led by the seven main political parties in the Himalayan kingdom. Last week, Nepalese monarch King Gyanendra gave up direct rule after pressure from nationwide protests. Since then, political developments have been swift. The House of Representatives of the Nepalese parliament was restored after being dissolved four years ago by the king. On Tuesday, a cabinet of seven ministers drawn from four of the seven main parties was also formed. A day later the new cabinet reciprocated the unilateral ceasefire called by the rebels on 27 April. “We welcome the steps taken by the parties and for their positive move towards peace and democracy…by first announcing a ceasefire and inviting us for talks,” said Prachanda, the Maoists’ senior leader, in a statement. Previous peace talks in 2001 and 2003 failed when the government refused to meet the key demands of the rebels: forming an interim government and constituent assembly, both of which are now a reality. The rebels are concerned that the Royal Nepal Army (RNA) remains loyal to the king and want it amalgamated with Maoist forces to form a new army answerable to parliament and the government. But Prachanda cautioned that the rebels were far from being tired of war and are in no hurry to enter politics. Reports of Maoist violence in parts of Nepal continued on Thursday. The conflict has cost more than 13,000 lives.