Sunday, June 14, 2009

AP: Nepal's turmoil won't stop peace

Text: Tim Sullivan (AP)

Nepalese rural Maoists (CPNM-M) and city sannyasins in Kathmandu (AFP).

KATMANDU, Nepal – The political turmoil that has roiled Nepal in recent weeks will not stop its peace process from moving forward, the country's prime minister said Saturday, adding that the former Maoist guerrillas still must prove that they are committed to negotiations.

Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, whose coalition government has been all but paralyzed by Maoist strikes and internal bickering since he came to power last month, said he expected the peace process and the new constitution to be completed by the May 2010 deadline.

The government "has extended its hand of cooperation to the Maoists," he told The Associated Press in an exclusive interview, and the Maoists have pledged to negotiate seriously.

"If they are really honest in their words, then I hope...we will be able to take the peace process to a positive conclusion," Nepal said. More>>