If the statement is indeed genuine, the most it will do is allow Nepaliese -who havent lost their loved ones in teh conflict so far- to celebrate Dashain and Tihar. But what after that? If this temporary ceasefire leads to more internse fighiting thereafter, by virtue of Maoists being able to garner more strength, the government should not fall into this trap. My proposition: On a different note, the government can agree to the ceasefire, create an atmosphere for 'talks' and invite the Maoists for talks. BUT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE THE ONE WHO WALKS AWAY FROM THE TALKS THIS TIME AROUND and detain the participating maoists without warning, which should destabilize their chain of command. The government should be ready to face some criticisms to some extent from some Human Rights groups and things like that but these sorts of criticisms come and go and are soon forgotten. After all, that would be in the interest of majority of Nepalese. They may call for strikes and 'bandhs' for few days, whose effect will deteriorate by the day as we saw in the case of Kathmandu blockade. They may threaten closure of industries though.