Nepal govt, rebels say may ask UN to monitor truce

KATHMANDU (Reuters) – Nepal’s new multi-party government
and Maoist rebels said on Sunday they may request the United
Nations to monitor a ceasefire in the Himalayan nation after
holding further talks.

The government, formed after last month’s violent
pro-democracy protests that forced King Gyanendra to hand back
power to political parties, matched a ceasefire this month
declared earlier by the Maoist guerrillas.

On Friday, government and rebel negotiators held their
first meeting since 2003, and agreed to a 25-point code of
conduct vowing to push the peace process forward including a
commitment to end provocations and stop using arms to
intimidate people.

Pradip Gyanwali, a government negotiator, said a formal
ceasefire agreement and a human rights accord were expected to
be signed with the rebels soon.

“Once we have those agreements in place, it will be easy
for us to request the Office of the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Nepal to monitor the
truce,” Gyanwali told Reuters. “This is our understanding.”

Maoist negotiator Dinanath Sharma said both sides had
agreed in principle to engage a third party, possibly the
United Nations, to monitor the truce.

“This may be discussed in our next meeting,” Sharma said,
adding they were expected to meet later this week.

Both sides have agreed to hold early elections for an
assembly to draft a new constitution and decide the future of
the monarchy, a key rebel demand to end the insurgency.

The initial talks are also expected to prepare for a
meeting between rebel chief Prachanda and Prime Minister Girija
Prasad Koirala.

Hopes for an end to Nepal’s decade-long insurgency have
been raised since the multi-party government took power last
month after King Gyanendra ended nearly 15-months of absolute
rule.

The insurgency, aimed at toppling the monarchy, has claimed
more than 13,000 lives and wrecked impoverished Nepal’s
economy.

Previous peace talks in 2001 and 2003 failed.