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Terrorists willing to
negotiate House dissolution demand
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Talks to focus on ceasefire
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UN seeks formal invitation to
participate
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Nepal has announced that it will release all terrorists detained under the
Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Control and Punishment) Ordinance (TADO)
and cancel all pending cases to placate the terrorist elements with which it is
negotiating peace. About 350 rebels have been in various jails and charged
under TADO and an Appellate Court released 75 terrorists immediately and more
releases are expected in the districts.
Home Minister Krishna Prasad Sitaula and terrorist leader Prachanda held
discussions on Sunday about 200 km northwest of Katmandu and the Government
said the talks were “fruitful.” Sitaula outlined the gist of the conversation
as "The Government explained its road map to peace. We have taken it in a new
spirit and will show maximum flexibility to reach the main goal (Constituent
Assembly elections)."
A terrorist spokesperson also said that his group was ready to drop the
divisive House dissolution demand. "We should not get tangled on the issue
whether and when the House should be dissolved" although he claimed that day
was not far. He also said that the next round of talks "in three days, or the
latest by the end of this week." The next round is expected to cover issues of
ceasefire monitoring and defining the need for an interim Constitution.
The United Nations (UN) said it is awaiting a formal invitation from the Nepal
government to participate in and facilitate the country's fledgling peace
process. Resident UN Coordinator Matthew Kahane asked the government to
officially invite the world body for monitoring the ceasefire with the rebels
and reiterated the UN's willingness to support Nepal's ongoing efforts to
restore permanent peace. Nepal government revealed that it would seek UN's
engagement in decommissioning arms of the Maoists besides monitoring the
ceasefire. The UN wants conflicting parties to have a major role to play in the
peace process and also minimize the participation of outsiders.
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