Maoist rebels agree to peace talks in Nepal

Maoist rebels today agreed to peace talks with Nepal’s government, raising hopes for an end to a decade-old insurgency that has killed 13,000 people.

The insurgents released a statement accepting an offer made by the Himalayan country’s new Cabinet yesterday.

It will be the third time that the two sides have tried to work out their differences; peace talks in 2001 and 2003 broke down after several months. Both sides have declared cease-fires since mass protests forced King Gyanendra to yield power last week.

“We welcome it as a positive move,” rebel chief Prachanda, in the statement that was e-mailed to news organisations, said of the Cabinet’s moves, which also included dropping terrorism charges against the Maoists.

“We believe that the talks this time will not be unsuccessful like the two previous ones because there is a historic moment behind this.”

He was referring to the new government’s moves toward rewriting the constitution, the rebels’ key demand in both of the previous failed negotiations.

Prachanda said the rebels had proposed a code of conduct for the peace talks and “hope the government will sincerely implement it”.

The rebels joined forces with a seven-party alliance in playing a key role in the three-weeks of demonstrations against the king that left at least 17 protesters dead. The insurgents now appear to be headed for a role in mainstream politics.

Norway’s Development Co-operation Minister Erik Solheim, who has been acting as a peace negotiator in Sri Lanka, said the world stood ready to help Nepal.

“The international community may play a role in supporting the peace process and development in Nepal,” Solheim, wrapping up a three-day visit, said after meeting with new Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

“But it can never and should never try to take over,” he said. “The government and the Maoists will have to take the driving seat. They will make all the decisions and make all the priorities.”

Madhav Kumar Nepal, general-security of the Communist Party of Nepal, agreed.

“Nepal does not need mediation, but we do need the international community to monitor the cease-fire,” he said.

But the process to end the insurgency clearly won’t be completely smooth sailing.

Despite their three-month truce declaration last week, the rebels beat to death two alleged robbers in a vigilante execution yesterday in southern Nepal, said Santaraj Subedi, the chief government administrator in the area.

The two men were accused of robbing residents of Ganjabhawanipur, a village in an area that has a strong rebel presence about 100 miles south of the capital, Kathmandu.

The rebels apprehended the men and brought them before villagers who endorsed a death sentence for the alleged robbers, and then the insurgents beat the men to death, Subedi said today.

Prachanda also earlier accused the seven-party alliance of engaging in a power struggle – a reference to disputes over Cabinet appointments – and said the legislature, which convened last Friday for the first time in four years, isn’t up to the tasks at hand.

Still, optimism flourished.

“We believe the talks will be successful because, unlike the previous governments, we have the support of the people,” said Home Minister Krishna Sitaula.