Nepal - Ceasefire And Talks
The government and Maoist rebels have agreed to a cessation of violence and talks to end the seven-year crisis in the Himalayan kingdom. Good news.
Posted: 30 January 2003
by Jon
Some good news at last from Nepal where the government and the
rebels yesterday agreed to a ceasefire and negotiations.
The conflict has cost approximately 7,000 Nepalese lives over the
past seven years and while foreigners have explicitly not been
targeted by the rebels, the continuing violence has made many
reluctant to travel to the beautiful mountain kingdom, devastating the
tourist and trekking trade.
Under the terms of the deal, the government has reportedly removed
the price on the head of the rebels and 'withdrawn the terrorist tag'
while they in turn have agreed not to undertake offensive military
actions.
There's obviously a long way to go, but it's undeniably a step in
the right direction in the year when Nepal is frantically promoting
the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest as a means of
boosting the the tourist trade.
For more details see this
story in the Guardian and this
on the BBC News site.
In Nepal itself, several newspapers have welcomed the ceasefire.
For gass roots response, take a look at nepalnews.com.
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