SG/SM/10435
28 April 2006
Secretary-General Heartened by Positive Developments in Nepal
NEW YORK, 27 April (UN Headquarters) -- The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan:
The Secretary- General is heartened by the recent positive developments in Nepal. He considers the royal proclamation of 24 April reinstating Parliament as a positive step that opens the door for a political process to end the decade-old conflict and address its underlying causes on the basis of wishes of the Nepali people.
The Secretary-General also welcomes the announcement by the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) of a three-month ceasefire as a step that will further ease the suffering of ordinary Nepalese and foster confidence between the soon-to-be-formed Government and the Maoists. He trusts that the ceasefire will be reciprocated and that both sides will continue to exercise restraint and wisdom in managing what will be a complex democratic transition through patient dialogue.
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