Nepal's tricky road to peace

The conflict has cost nearly 1,800 lives

By Sushil Sharma in Kathmandu

The cease-fire announcement in Nepal was a surprise for its swiftness rather than for its substance.

The pace of developments has been enough to create fresh hope, which has been dashed several times in the past due to mutual mistrust.

That the guns will fall silent for the first time after nearly 1,800 deaths in five and a half years is certainly a positive sign.

But there are serious hurdles on the road to a lasting peace.

Obstacles

Prime Minister Deuba has pledged to take all necessary steps to create an atmosphere of confidence for a dialogue.

The Maoists want information about jailed comrades

This is easier said than done.

Two of the steps the rebels want the government to take immediately should not be difficult.

They want information about those who have allegedly disappeared in police custody and the exchange of prisoners.

Difficult condition

But the third rebel condition only could cost Mr Deuba his government.

Sher Bahadur Deuba: Wants to create conditions for talks

The rebels want that the previous government's policies and decisions against the rebels be reversed.

They apparently want the decision of the outgoing prime minister, Girija Prasad Koirala, to deploy the army and create a separate armed police unit to fight the rebels reversed.

Obliging the rebels will earn the wrath of Mr Koirala whose support is crucial for the future of the faction-ridden Nepali Congress government.

The fall of the Deuba government could renew the spate of violence across the country.

Deep divisions

Things will not be easy even if dialogue does get underway.

The two sides are deeply divided on fundamental issues.

The rebels want an interim government and a new constitution to make way for a republican communist regime

But the government is committed to defending the present constitution that guarantees constitutional monarchy and multi-party parliamentary democracy.

Notwithstanding their seemingly irreconcilable positions, the best hope for peace lies in the sustained pressure on both sides from home and abroad for a compromise.