Summit meeting resumes in Baluwatar

Continuing from where they left on Sunday, the leaders of seven parties and the Maoists have resumed the summit meeting this morning at around 9 a.m.in Baluwatar.

The meeting resumed after top leaders of seven parties as well as the Maoists arrived at the venue.

Today's talk is expected to re-focus on the outstanding issues such as implementation of past agreements; modalities of arms management; determination of status of monarchy; finalization of interim constitution; setting up of interim parliament and interim government; and finalizing the date for elections of Constituent Assembly. The major thrust of today's talks is expected to center around the issue of arms management and finalization of interim constitution.

All top leaders of seven parties have assembled at the venue along with Maoist chairman Prachanda. PM Koirala, NC-Democratic president Sher Bahadur Deuba, general secretary of Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) Madhav Kumar Nepal, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) Narayan Man Bijukchhe, as well as top leaders of other parties have arrived in Baluwatar.

Flanked by their own security militia Maoist leaders Prachanda, Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, Ram Bahadur Thapa aka Comrade Badal and Krishna Mahara reached Baluwatar at around quarter to 8:45.

Talking to reporters on their way to talks venue, leaders have expressed optimism about the outcome of the meeting. "I am quite optimistic that we will be able to finalize on all issues," said Hridayesh Tripathy, leader of Nepal Sadbhavana Party (NSP-Anandidevi).

"We expect to settle issues of arms management and interim constitution today," added Narayan Man Bijukchhe.

Meanwhile, while Home Minister Krishna Sitaula expressed concern over Sunday's indifference towards management of media representatives, the government is reported to have asked the Peace Secretariat to arrange for a press meeting at 6 in the evening today at Hotel Radisson to inform the press corps about the development of the talks.

A huge band of different groups including those of Janajati and civil society organizations have set up their camps outside the talks venue and are shouting slogans demanding immediate announcement of date of Constituent Assembly elections and promulgation of interim constitution, among others. Hundreds of curious general public have also assembled in front of the venue. nepalnews.com sd Oct 10 06