Nepal's fading peace hopes

Several recent explosions caused minor injuries

Analysis
By Daniel Lak BBC correspondent in Kathmandu

The Nepali people are tired of war and always quick to grasp at almost any prospect for peace.

That is why there was a real sense of optimism here when both the newly-appointed government and the Maoist rebels said recently that they wanted peace talks.

Peace call offered hope for an end to violence

But the behaviour of both sides on the ground, especially the Maoists, points to more war, not peace.

There are subtleties at work here that appear almost cynical to the outside observer, but are crucial at the moment as the government in Kathmandu - appointed controversially by King Gyanendra - tries to establish its legitimacy.

Both the Maoists and most mainstream political parties reject the new government.

The people, as ever, are caught in the middle.

King's role

In their somewhat vague call for peace talks late last week, the Maoists referred only to negotiations with the king, political parties and intellectuals - no mention of the government.

They called on King Gyanendra to set the stage for talks by making the ultimate sacrifice.

Whether that is a reference to earlier demands for abolition of the monarchy isn't known.

Maoists may want to talk directly with King Gyanendra

They also call for a debate about constitutional change which few politicians now oppose.

The new Prime Minister, Lokendra Bahadur Chand, has himself called for unconditional peace talks, but admits he has had no direct response.

Some here suspect the Maoists see the king as the only significant authority at the moment and want the status of talking directly to him.

King Gyanendra has had little to say in public since appointing Mr Chand's government more than two weeks ago and protocol would seem to rule out a direct response to the Maoists.

Against a background of continuing violence and unrest, the Nepali people can be forgiven for wondering if peace will ever be restored.