Nepal mulls UN peace process role

By Bhagirath Yogi
BBC News, Kathmandu

Both sides hope to talk again soon

Nepal's government is considering involving the United Nations in the peace process with Maoist rebels, a senior official has said.

Pradip Gyawali, a cabinet minister and member of the negotiating team, told the BBC the issue will be discussed in the next round of talks.

An earlier round of talks - the first between the government and rebels in three years - concluded last week.

The UN has said it is ready to help end Nepal's decade-old conflict.

In talks so far, the government and the rebels have agreed to continue the peace process and create a code of conduct to be followed by both sides.

Both sides also agreed to invite national and international agencies to monitor a month-old truce in the country.

They, however, did not specify whether the UN would be asked to monitor the truce.

Terms of reference

Nepalese officials have said the UN could play a part in monitoring the truce and in overseeing the decommissioning of Maoist arms and the demobilisation of the rebel army.

The UN has said it would like to have clear terms of reference before getting involved in the peace process.

UN officials are said to be consulting Nepal's southern neighbour, India, Maoist rebels and other parties in this regard.

Last Friday's talks between the newly-restored government and the rebels were the first formal discussions in nearly three years aimed at ending an insurgency that has killed thousands of people.

Under discussion were steps to consolidate a 12-point agreement reached between the Maoists and a seven-party alliance which now runs the government.

Hopes for peace in Nepal have been raised since a new multi-party government took power last month.

No date has been set for the next round of talks, but both sides said they hoped it would be held soon.