 KATHMANDU - Nepalâs communist rebels asked the United Nations and the countryâs seven major political parties on Monday to sit down for talks on ending the Himalayan countryâs separatist conflict. | Getting your asses kicked, eh? |
The appeal comes during a five-day visit to Nepal by Lakhdar Brahimi, a special envoy of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, aimed at helping to find a peaceful resolution to the 9-year Maoist rebellion. Brahimi, who arrived Sunday, is scheduled to meet King Gyanendra, senior government officials and leaders of political parties. âOur party is ready for talks with United Nations for peace, progress and democracy of the Nepalese people,â said Maoist rebel leader Prachanda in a statement that gave no other details. | But since they don't believe in any of those things it's going to be a real short session. |
The rebels have asked the UN in the past to observe any peace negotiations with the government, which has repeatedly rejected the guerrillasâ offers of talks. The UN had no immediate reaction. Prachanda, whose real name is Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also appealed for talks with Nepalâs political parties, which have organized street protests against King Gyanendra, who sacked the elected government and took power in February. The move appeared to be intended to form an alliance against the monarch. However, the seven parties have said they will not form any partnership with the separatists unless they renounce violence. âThe Maoists have not given any proof that they have given up violence against civilians. We will have to discuss the latest offer with other parties before we decide on a response,â said Ram Sharan Mahat of Nepali Congress, the largest party. |