The Times of India Online  

[7 Oct, 2006 1036hrs IST IANS]

Hectic preparations have been taking place before the much-awaited top-level talks between the leaders of Nepal's ruling Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) and the Maoists to insure the "summit talks" are a success. "I am very hopeful of positive outcome of the Sunday talks," said Padam Ratna Tuladhar, human rights activist and observer of the SPA-Maoist talks. "Both sides appear to be more serious now and have done much homework in connection with the talks." 

The negotiations are being described as the "talks of all talks" designed to solve "all of Nepalese political and security problems" and establish lasting peace in the strife-torn Himalayan kingdom. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, accused by his detractors as the main culprit in delaying the crucial talks, has publicly stated that the talks would help solve "all outstanding problems." His ministers, including leftist Deputy Prime Minister Amik Sherchan, have been echoing the same sentiments. 

The Maoists, however, have accused SPA leaders of not being serious and have threatened an "urban revolution" in capital Kathmandu if the talks weren't productive. Maoist leader Prachanda met with Prime Minister Koirala last week before the start of the Hindu festival of Dasain and handed him a nine-point Maoist programme said to be the rebel's bottom line. 

The secret nine-point deal reportedly outlines the sharing of seats in the interim assembly, the use of Maoist militia jointly with government police to enforce balloting in referendum and constituent assembly elections and the retention of rebel Peoples Courts in rural areas. "The three main stumbling blocks during the talks are expected to be the role of the king in the interim constitution, management of arms and the shape of the interim parliament," lawmaker Hom Nath Dahal of the Nepali Congress Democratic said. 

Prime Minister Koirala wants the king, forced to handover power to the people in February, to be retained with a ceremonial role while the Maoists want the institution of monarchy "suspended" until after a referendum can be held. Koirala and his Nepali Congress Party do not want a referendum to settle the question of monarchy in Nepal, saying it would "unnecessarily reactivate the now-passive king to seek an active role in politics" by having him campaign for votes.  

Disarming the Maoists is likely to be a sticking point in Sunday's talks. The Maoists have publicly declared that they would not give up their arms until after the constituent assembly elections while the major parties in the SPA want them to immediately give up their weapons. "I have a feeling that the Maoists will take over total control of the state once they join the government. This is why they must not be allowed to join the government without giving up their arms," warned a political leader who attended preparatory meetings for the SPA-Maoist talks held on Thursday. 

The bright spot is that the SPA and the Maoists have reached a consensus on the constituent assembly. "There is no disagreement among any parties on the constituent assembly elections as they have now been accepted by all. The differences lie on how to go about holding these elections," said Hom Nath Dahal. The Nepali Congress Democratic legislator said the talks scheduled for Sunday must succeed to avoid a military coup.  

"The recent takeover of power by the military in Thailand should be an eye-opener both to the SPA and the Maoists," he said, adding that most western countries would prefer a temporary army rule in Nepal than a communist takeover. "This is why," he said, "the talks must succeed and the Maoist arms must be properly managed".

Jhal Nath Khanal of the communist United Marxist-Leninists (UML), one of the three main parties in the Seven Party Alliance, said, "The Sunday talks may not be able to solve all the problems but they will certainly pave the way for further talks in the coming days until full agreement between the SPA and the Maoists is reached."  Rights activist Tuladhar concurs that one meeting will not do the trick.  

"Everything may not be resolved in a single meeting but the Sunday meeting is expected to have a positive impact. "You know, the peace talks in Sri Lanka went on for years and yet there is no solution so far. And in Nepal's case, it is not all that complicated and there is a lot to hope for. I am sure the leaders will not disappoint."