SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES PARTIES TO PERSIST WITH EFFORTS TO BRING NEPALESE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK

SECRETARY-GENERAL URGES PARTIES TO PERSIST WITH EFFORTS

TO BRING NEPALESE PEACE PROCESS BACK ON TRACK

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has been following with keen interest the peace process in Nepal, in which His Majesty's Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have for the last several months been engaged in negotiations to find a peaceful solution to the conflict that has caused the loss of thousands of lives and considerable suffering to civilians since 1996.

While a ceasefire that came into effect in January of this year has been holding and the sides have engaged in a series of formal and informal discussions, the process has faced serious obstacles in recent weeks and has reached a critical stage.  The Secretary-General welcomes the continued expression by the Government and the Maoist group of their commitment to a peaceful solution, appreciates the intense efforts that are ongoing at present to overcome the hurdles and urges the parties to persist with these efforts to bring the process back on track.  The Secretary-General remains at the disposal of Nepal to assist the achievement of a negotiated peaceful solution.

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