Washington, Aug 28: Flaying the Maoists for calling off the seven-month old ceasefire and talks with the government of Nepal, the US has urged the rebels to get back to the negotiating table and resume the peace process "that they seem to have spurned." "The US certainly deplores the announcement by the Maoist group in Nepal of their decision to end the 7-month long ceasefire that has been held with the Government of Nepal as well as the systematic violations of the agreed code of conduct during the ceasefire.

"The public rejection that these Maoists have made of the government's reform proposals during peace talks last week is also "something we find appalling," State Department spokesman Phil Reeker told reporters yesterday. The Maoists, Reeker said, are ignoring overwhelming support within Nepal and the international community for a negotiated settlement of what is truly a "senseless conflict" which has claimed the lives of thousands of Nepalis and disrupted efforts to develop Nepal's economy and political infrastructure.

"We believe," he said, "that the conflict can be settled only through peaceful and democratic means."

Bureau Report