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Facts
on the Conflict: Peace Process
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Peace
talks making positive headway - rebels and government
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KATHMANDU,
9 Oct 2006 (IRIN)
High-level
peace talks in Nepal, which got under way at the weekend, are making good
progress, according to both government and Maoist rebel representatives.
After
10 years of violent conflict that has claimed at least 14,000 lives and
a series of unsuccessful peace talks earlier in the year, both sides want
to bring the three-day discussions to a positive conclusion as quickly
as possible, they said.
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Maoist rebels have been involved in the peace process with the interim
government to end the decade-long armed conflict in Nepal
"Several
issues were discussed in a cordial manner," read a joint press statement
on Sunday from the interim government and the rebels.
The
parties that comprise the government added there is optimism about key
issues being resolved. These include agreement on a new interim constitution,
setting dates for the constituent assembly elections, implementation of
past agreements, arms management, providing relief to victims of the conflict
and restructuring of the state system. |
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The
second round of the talks is scheduled for Tuesday, when key decisions
will hopefully be made, said both government and rebel representatives.
According
to independent observers, both sides have shown flexibility on most crucial
issues, such as managing Maoist arms and forming an interim legislative
body to replace the present Nepalese parliament.
The
rebels have been proposing that they would confine their soldiers in several
cantonments around the country until the elections are held. Government
representatives said they are also positive about setting up a unicameral
legislative body with 300 members representing all parties, including the
Maoists.
They
would also finalise a crucial issue on the future of the Nepalese monarchy.
Absolutist monarch King Gyanendra was removed from power in February and
discussions are ongoing over whether to remove him from the constitution
altogether and render the monarchy purely ceremonial
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Credit
IRIN 2006
Copyright
© UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs 2006
[
This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the United Nations]
Integrated
Regional Information Networks (IRIN), part of the UN Office for the Coordination
of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
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