The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) has welcomed the cease-fire announced by the government and agreed to hold peace negotiations.
Issuing a press statement on May 4, 2006, CPN (Maoist) Chairman Prachanda said that his party was ready to sit for peace talks with the government as per the 12-point understanding reached with the Seven Party Alliance (SPA).
According to him, his party has already handed over a code of conduct that has to be observed by both the Maoists and government. The party announced unilateral cease-fire on April 27, 2006.
With the Maoists in the process of joining the mainstream politics, permanent peace is likely to be established in the country soon. The new political development is expected to be instrumental in reviving entire economic sector, especially the tourism industry that has suffered severe setbacks in the last couple of years.
