Another round of four-party talks turns futile

A meeting of the top leaders of the four major parties on Saturday failed to hammer out a deal on formation of an election government under Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi.

The meeting of the leaders of UCPN (Maoist), Nepali Congres, UML and Madhesi Front held at the army integration Special Committee secretariat's office at Naya Baneshwor dwelt on the same sticking points-- namely the draft of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), provisions to remove constitutional hurdles for installing a CJ-led government and ranks for the former Maoist combatants to be integrated into the Nepal Army. However, there was no understanding on any of these issues.

Before the four-party meeting, UCPN (M) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal had a discussion with UML chairman Jhala Nath Khanal in an attempt to narrow down the differences.

After the Friday's meeting, the Maoist leaders had said formal consensus was delayed as the UML leaders expressed reservations on the Maoist stance on TRC and ranks for the combatants while the NC has appeared soft on them. Nepalnews.com