Kathmandu, Aug 23: The United States urged the Nepali government and Maoist rebels to continue talks to try and end a long-running revolt in which more than 7,200 people have been killed. The government agreed in a meeting with the Maoists early this week to include the rebels, who are fighting to topple the constitutional monarchy, in an interim government and amend the constitution so as to end their revolt.
But it rejected a rebel demand for an assembly to prepare a new constitution that would define the role of the King.
The Maoists, who are also urging radical social and economic reforms, say the government offer was disappointing.
In a statement yesterday, the United States Embassy in Nepal said the government offer addressed some of the rebels' concerns.
''The political proposals advanced by the government of Nepal during that round directly address a number of the Maoists' proclaimed socio-economic concerns and thus offer a realistic vehicle for productive discussions,'' it said.
The latest meeting was held in a remote village in a rebel controlled area adjourned after the two sides failed to strike a deal. They have pledged to meet again but fixed no date.
Washington urged the rebels not to break the ceasefire agreed in January and urged both sides ''to remain engaged in the all-important process of forging in good faith a peaceful resolution to this conflict".
The rebels, inspired by the revolutionary ideas of the late Chinese Communist leader Mao Zedong have in the past accused Washington, which has backed the government drive to crush the rebellion, of conspiring against talks.
The conflict has wrecked the impoverished economy, hit tourism, a key source of income, and threatened the stability of the mountainous nation wedged between Asian giants China and India.
Bureau Report