Kathmandu, July 26: High-level officials from Nepal's government and the Maoist rebel movement have held preliminary talks to prepare for more thorough negotiations, a newspaper reported today. The Nepali-language daily space time today said "senior ministers" from the government and high-ranking Maoists had begun talks on "preliminary arrangements" for a more structured dialogue.
The newspaper did not give further details. There was no immediate confirmation of the talks by the government.
The Maoists, who are fighting to topple the constitutional monarchy, held three rounds of negotiations with the government after Sher Bahadur Deuba became Prime Minister in July 2001.
The talks, however, became deadlocked over rebel demands that a "constituent assembly" be convened to redraft the constitution. The Maoists broke a four-month truce in November with a flurry of attacks, prompting king Gyanendra to deploy the army against the rebels for the first time.

Deuba has since vowed to crush the rebels but under increasing international pressure has recently held out olive branches.
Speaking at a rally yesterday in Putwal, 390 kms west of the capital Kathmandu, Deuba said he was ready to accept the Maoists in parliament if they ended their attacks and participated in elections due in November.
"If the Maoists hand over their arms and take part in the forthcoming elections, the government will welcome them," said Deuba, quoted by state radio. "If the Maoists do as such and apologize for their attacks, there is the prospect of forming an all-party government," the premier said.

Bureau Report