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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