Kathmandu, July 21: The Nepalese government has moved to assure Maoist rebels of their safety even if ongoing peace negotiations to end a seven-year insurgency fail, an official said today. The cabinet met to discuss claims of harassment by the Maoists -- which the rebels cited as the reason behind closing their public relations office in the capital Kathmandu.

"We reviewed the current political situation and the proposed peace dialogues with the Maoists," official government spokesman and minister for information and communications Kamal Thapa told news agencies.
"The government is fully committed to the security and safety of the Maoist peace negotiators," added Thapa, also part of the government negotiating team.

"As per the international norms, we will provide free and safe passage to the Maoist peace negotiators even if the talks fail," Thapa said.

Bureau Report