NEPAL'S MAOIST REBELS DECLARE UNILATERAL THREE-MONTH CEASEFIRE
Nepal's Maoist rebels announced a unilateral three-month ceasefire starting immediately in an effort to aid talks with political parties in the Himalayan nation.
Maoist leader Prachanda said he hoped the truce would create a "conducive atmosphere" for talks with the parties on forming a united opposition against the February seizure of power by King Gyanendra.
"During this period, our People's Liberation Army will not launch an offensive," Prachanda said Saturday in a faxed statement. "But if there are any attacks on our side by the army, we will violently retaliate."
Gyanendra sacked a four-party government seven months ago for failing to tackle the Maoist rebellion that has claimed about 12,000 lives since 1996.
Seven political parties formed an alliance in response, and last month they said they would hold talks with the Maoists on forming a broad front against Gyanendra, provided the rebels honour their promise to stop killing civilians.
Gyanendra responded with a renewed offer of dialogue with the political parties but was rebuffed last week by the two largest groups.
Human rights groups say the insurgency has led to major human rights violations by both the army and the rebels.
In 2003 and 2004, the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearances said it had received more reports of disappearances at the hands of the Nepali government than from any other country.
Human rights groups have also accused the rebels of systematic abductions of students for indoctrination, and blamed the guerrillas for the assassinations of government officials.
Last month, the rebels captured scores of soldiers and killed 40 in a major battle in western Nepal, according to the army. The Maoists said they lost 25 fighters in the clash and were treating the captives "in a humane manner".
The violence has brought international condemnation on both sides as well as reviews of military and humanitarian assistance from several countries including the United States, Britain and India.
In response, the government in April invited the United Nations to appoint a high commissioner for human rights to the country to investigate complaints, a step also welcomed by the Maoists, who want the UN to mediate in Nepal.
