Nepal government not to reciprocate Maoists' unilateral ceasefire
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
New Delhi, Dec 21, IRNA
Nepal-Maoists-Ceasefire
The Nepalese government today outrightly rejected any move to reciprocate the Maoists' unilateral ceasefire and claimed that it has broken the backbone of the rebels by mobilizing the army against them.
"We won't declare a ceasefire by reciprocating the Maoists' truce because the rebels did not address the government while declaring the ceasefire," Nepalese King Gyanendra's deputy, Tulasi Giri, told a press conference in Kathmandu.
The Maoists did not say they are ready to hold dialogue with the government while announcing the ceasefire, said Giri, vice-chairman of Nepal's Council of Ministers.
His remarks came two weeks ahead of the expiry of the ceasefire announced by the Maoists.
The rebels have signed a 12-point agreement with political parties to abolish "autocratic monarchy," Giri said, and asked, "In this situation how can we reciprocate it?"
He claimed that the Maoists announced their ceasefire for the convenience of the parties, not the government.
He said the Maoists have shaken hands with the parties which proves that they have become weaker and are now no longer in a position to launch massive attacks against the government.
He also claimed that the royal government has broken the backbone of the Maoists by mobilizing the army.
Rejecting media reports that the government has formed a committee to hold a dialogue with the Maoists, he said the government has not yet thought about it.
Also, he said the government is capable of holding the municipality elections despite a boycott by political parties.
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