Kathmandu, Apr 16: Talks between the Nepalese government and Maoist rebels will formally begin within two or three days, deputy prime minister and chief government negotiator Badri Prasad Mandal said today.
"Since the Nepalese people's desire is to see the talks conclude successfully, the peace talks will lead to permanent peace in the country," Mandal told Radio Nepal. Earlier today, the government announced a six-member team, headed by Mandal, to hold dialogue with Maoist rebels. The rebels had announced their five-member team, led by Babu Ram Bhattarai, in January, a day after a ceasefire was declared in the Himalayan country.
Mandal said the government has done "enough homework" for initiating the peace talks and would try to reach an all party consensus for successful conclusion of the talks.
He also hoped that all political parties and the general public would cooperate with the government to make the peace process a success.
Four major political parties, including Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party-UML, had boycotted an all party meeting called by Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand prior to forming the talks team, alleging that the government is illegitimate and unconstitutional.
"The government has fully pursued the code of conduct for moving ahead with the peace process," Mandal said and urged the Maoists to abide by the code of conduct.
A Maoist talks coordinator, Matrika Yadav, had recently asked the government to abide by the code of conduct.

Bureau Report