Maoist Leader To Head Nepal Talks

BBC News

May 12, 2006

The leader of Nepal's Maoist rebels, Prachanda, will lead negotiations with the government, one of his aides says. Matrika Yadav, who was recently released freed under a truce agreement, said Prachanda would head peace talks.

The government and the rebels have agreed to return to the negotiating table to end a 10-year insurgency but a date and venue have yet to be agreed.

The talks come after King Gyanendra reinstated parliament following weeks of protests.

Rebel demand

Following the release of Mr Yadav, the Maoists freed former government official, Bodh Raj Adhikary, who was abducted in the south-eastern Sarlahi district in April.

The interim multi-party government has announced elections will take place to form a constituent assembly - a key rebel demand.

The body will have the power to rewrite the country's constitution and decide the future of the monarchy.

Peace talks have failed twice in the past five years because of disagreements over the election to the assembly.

The talks are expected to focus on the modalities of the election and the disarming of the communist rebels.

Some 13,000 people have died during the 10-year Maoist insurgency, aimed at establishing a communist government in Nepal.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/south_asia/4764805.stm

Published: 2006/05/12 10:53:19 GMT

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