Date:29/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/29/stories/2006092904821700.htm

International - Globescan

Nepal's talks deferred

Ameet Dhakal

KATHMANDU: Nepal's Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist Chairman Prachanda held a crucial meeting here at the Prime Minister's residence and agreed to defer summit talks slated for October 8. The talks were initially scheduled for Thursday. It has been deferred since the Seven-Party Alliance leaders are yet to reach a consensus on the agenda. After the meeting between the two top leaders, the Government and Maoist negotiating teams announced the postponement of the talks. "We [negotiating teams] held a joint meeting on Thursday, reviewed all the issues and agreed to reschedule the summit talk for more homework," Home Minister and coordinator of the Government negotiating team, Krishna Sitaula, told the press conference. He downplayed any differences within the SPA or between the SPA and the Maoists. Krishna Bahadur Mahara, coordinator of the Maoist negotiating team, also said the talks were postponed for further homework.