Prachanda has invited parties to send a delegation for talks. what a turn of events. Will the parties now go for talks with maoist or hide their tail and go to the palace? Apthero samaya ayo tini haru lai? Ke garne?? Bichara haru..... ------------------------------------------------------------- Maoist chairman calls upon opposition parties to appoint a `negotiating team? (2:20 pm) In what is seen as an indication of upcoming polarization in the Nepali politics, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal, Prachanda, has called upon the alliance of seven opposition parties?that are protesting the Feb. 1 royal takeover?to appoint an official ?negotiating team? to hold dialogue with his party on ?all political issues.? Chairman of CPN (Maoist) Prachanda (File Photo) In a statement issued on Monday, Prachanda termed recent statements by Nepali Congress president and former premier, G P Koirala-- that he would hold dialogue with his party-- as ?very positive.? He said his party was ready to collaborate with all political parties that were against ?authoritarianism? in order to make the movement powerful and united. Prachanda said that the directives issued by his party to all its cadres not to target activists of the seven party alliance was being enforced strictly, save some ?accidents.? He called upon the parties to come forward by constituting an official `negotiation team? in order to create a massive people pressure for a democratic way out. He did not elaborate. ?A strong basis of confidence could be prepared by holding dialogue with such a negotiation team by organizing serious discussions on the whole gamut of political issues,? he added. The major Maoist demands include a round table conference, interim government, and elections to the constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. They have, however, kept mum on one of the major demands of seven party alliance for the reinstatement of the dissolved parliament. In its common agenda, the seven party alliance said it was ready to go up to (elections for the) constituent assembly as a way out to the present political impasse. They have, however, ruled out collaboration with the CPN (Maoist) unless the latter gives up violence. Interestingly, in his statement, Maoist chairman Prachanda said his party was ready to hold dialogue with anyone around the world including the United Nations in favour of what he called Nepali people?s aspirations for democracy, peace and progress. Prachanda?s statement has come at a time when Lakhdar Brahimi, special advisor to the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, is currently in Nepal. The UN has been saying that it is ready to make available its good offices for the peaceful resolution of the Nepal conflict provided both the parties in the conflict ask it to do so. While the Maoists have said they are ready to accept UN involvement, successive Nepali governments have rejected the offer saying that ?they are capable to resolve the issue internally.? Critics say the present government is pursuing military means to defeat the insurgents. International community, including the US, UK and India, have said military solution to the Nepal conflict is not possible. They have also suspended their ?lethal? military aid to Nepal in the aftermath of the Feb. 1 royal takeover. nepalnews.com by July 11 05