by Prakash Dubey

Maoist rebels are invited to negotiations. The government responds to rebels' truce by dropping all charges against 16 of their leaders.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Nepal's new cabinet met yesterday for the second time since it was sworn in and decided to follow up Maoist rebels' three-month truce offer with its own ceasefire. The interim government also invited the rebels to the negotiating table to hammer out a viable way out of the ten-year conflict that has killed 13,000 people and left the country in economically and socially prostrate.

"We have taken a political decision in accordance with the spirit of the people's movement. That, of course, is ceasefire and removal of red corner notices issued against certain Maoist leaders," said Deputy Prime Minister and Nepalese Communist Party leader KP Sharma Oli.

On November 26, 2001, the Nepalese government had branded Maoist rebels as terrorist and on August 12, 2002, had issued red corner notices against 16 of its leaders, who have been living underground ever since. Now the same men are free to talk to government officials.

"We will form our own negotiating team while the rebels will form theirs. The process will start very soon," Mr Oli added.

As to the ceasefire, the deputy PM said that "it will be in force until further [notice]", suggesting that it might change following progress in peace talks.

Oli was optimistic though that both government and Maoists would honour the spirit of the ceasefire for the security and greater good of the country.

"The real hallmark of the ceasefire declared by the government is its withdrawal of the tag of terrorists slapped against Maoists and the red corner notices issued against their top leaders," said Norbert Rai, a lawyer and human rights activist.

"This should help build up a milieu of trust in the country. Without trust dialogue would not lead to any substantial agreement to get out of the present crisis. I am sure even Maoists crave peace. They are human too," Rai added.

A note of caution though, according to Rai, is necessary. Maoists should not miss the boat this time "if as a result of their intransigence there is no peace deal. Otherwise, they will be remembered as terrorists. Nepal does not have a culture of mayhem and bloodshed for which Maoists were responsible in the recent past. Things must change."

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