New Nepalese constitution likely in 18 months

Nepal could rewrite its constitution within 18 months to meet a key demand of communist rebels who joined the political opposition in a campaign that forced King Gyanendra to relinquish power, the new deputy prime minister said.

But bringing a permanent end to Nepal’s communist insurgency could take longer unless the rebel chief personally joins peace talks with the government rather than sending emissaries, deputy prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli said today.