- Title: NEPAL: MAOIST REBELS ANNOUNCE A THREE-MONTH CEASEFIRE
- Date: 3rd September 2005
- Summary: (BN15) KATHMANDU, NEPAL (SEPTEMBER 03, 2005) (REUTERS) 1. VARIOUS OF ASSEMBLED MASS IN BANESHWAR STREET, UNRESTRICTED AREA FOR HOLDING MEETINGS AND RALLIES (2 SHOTS) 0.15 2. LEADERS OF THE PARTIES WAVING TO THE CROWD 0.20 3. (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) GOPAL MAN SINGH, ACTING PRESIDENT OF NEPALI CONGRESS (DEMOCRATIC), SAYING: "I have accepted the ceasefire called by Maoists as a result of appeals from various parties and our regular discussions with them." 0.34 5. WIDE OF CROWD 0.38 6. (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) MADHAB NEPAL, GENERAL SECRETARY PF COMMUNIST PARTY OF NEPAL (UML), SAYING: "I want to say to the Maoists that you have announced a unilateral ceasefire and that is certainly welcome. You have said you are ready to accept the verdict of the people. If you are ready to accept the verdict of the people, be bold enough to give away your arms and accept the verdict of the people." 1.22 7. CROWD 1.28 8. (SOUNDBITE) (Nepali) GIRIJA PRASHAD KOIRALA, PRESIDENT OF NEPALI CONGRESS, SAYING: "I am pleased with the ceasefire. In fact it has been called as a result of our appeal, so that a conducive atmosphere could be created for dialogue. That's why I have taken it positively, and now I am waiting for the reaction from the government. As to the question of proposed dialogue, all the seven parties are ready for dialogue. If the king poses an an obstacle to the process, people may well consider the end of monarchy." 2.26 9. CROWD CLAPPING 2.30 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 18th September 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: KATHMANDU, NEPAL
- Country: Nepal
- Reuters ID: LVACDU1Z5O05UBYUMKBW60PQRNJQ
- Story Text: Nepal's Maoist rebels announce a three-month ceasefire.
Nepal's Maoist rebels announced a three-month
ceasefire from Saturday (September 3), their chief said in
a statement, in a move to win support of political parties
opposed to King Gyanendra's seizure of power in February.
"During this period, our People's Liberation Army (PLA)
will be in defensive positions," Prachanda said in a
statement made available to Reuters.
"The PLA will not launch any offensive from its side.
We believe our move will encourage all forces, within and
outside Nepal, who want peace through a forward-moving
political solution," the elusive Maoist chief said.
The Nepali Congress, the biggest party, welcomed the
truce.
Madhab Nepal, General Secretary of the PF Communist
Party of Nepal, said: "I want to say to the Maoists that
you have announced a unilateral ceasefire and that is
certainly welcome. You have said you are ready to accept
the verdict of the people. If you are ready to accept the
verdict of the people, be bold enough to give away your
arms and accept the verdict of the people."
Girija Prashad Koirala, President of the Nepali
Congress, added: "I am pleased with the ceasefire. In fact
it has been called as a result of our appeal, so that a
conducive atmosphere could be created for dialogue. That's
why I have taken it positively and now I am waiting for
the reaction from the government. As to the question of
proposed dialogue, all the seven parties are ready for
dialogue. If the king poses an an obstacle to the process,
people may well consider the end of monarchy."
Nepal's mainstream political parties said in July they
would hold talks with the rebels to discuss joint protests
against Gyanendra's power grab but added the rebels must
stop the violence before the talks could take place.
Prachanda also promised in July the rebels would not
target unarmed civilians, stop extortion and urged the
seven parties to name negotiators for talks on a united
campaign against the king.
The seven political parties that controlled more than
190 seats in the 205-member parliament dissolved in 2002
have been protesting against Gyanendra's February 1 sacking
of the multi-party government and assumption of absolute
power.
On Saturday, more than 5,000 people attended a rally
organised by the seven-party alliance in Kathmandu
demanding the restoration of democracy.
The king says his move to take power was prompted by
the failure of squabbling parties to quell the increasingly
deadly Maoist revolt in which more than 12,500 people have
died.
The truce, if it holds, would be the longest since
talks collapsed in August 2003.
The army said it had heard about the rebel truce but
did not want to comment. There was no word from the
royalist government.
The Maoists launched their revolt to topple the world's
only Hindu monarchy. They now control large parts of the
Himalayan nation and have become known for lightning raids
on the military and government installations.
The violence has wrecked the impoverished nation's
economy, scaring off investors and tourists.
In early August, at least 55 soldiers and 26 Maoist
fighters were killed during a raid on an army camp in west
Nepal in the deadliest battle in over a year. Another 60
soldiers were captured by the Maoists and are yet to be
released.
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