Kathmandu, July 18: Nepal's Maoists have accused the
government of not fulfilling its pledges made during the first
two rounds of peace talks, throwing into uncertainty the third
round of parleys.
Addressing the national convention of a Maoist party in
Nepalgunj in west Nepal yesterday, convener of the Maoist
dialogue team Krishna Bahadur Mahara said the government has
not yet implemented its decisions reached during the previous
rounds, including the one to restrict army movement within
five kilometres of the barracks, daily 'Annapurna Post' said.
The situation has become more complicated with a Maoist
official, who was allegedly detained in Kathmandu yesterday by
security forces, warning that unless the government guarantees
security, the five Maoist negotiators will not travel to the
capital to participate in the talks.
Bharat Dhungana, secretary at the CPN-Maoist contact
office here, was allegedly detained for several hours and
interrogated, the 'Kathmandu Post' reported.
He later told a local radio station that the Maoist
dialogue team, including chief negotiator Baburam Bhattarai,
would not come to kathmandu unless guaranteed security.
Both rounds of peace talks between the maoists and the
government were held before Surya Bahadur Thapa took over as
Nepalese Prime Minister.
The government has sent a formal letter to the Maoists
asking them to decide on a date for the third round of talks.
Bureau Report
