Talk Show

Your cover story "Will Talks Restore Peace?" (SPOTLIGHT, August 17) has objectively analyzed the prospects of the much-hyped dialogue between the government and the Maoist rebels. You have raised the vital point as to how much the government and rebels are prepared to compromise if they want to take the talks to their logical conclusion. As things stand, both sides seem serious about sitting down for talks, if not solving the problem immediately. Definitely, all Nepalis would heave a sigh of relief in case the talks succeed in ending the costly insurgency.

Nabin Lamsal
Kopundole

Bad Example

By agreeing to sit down for talks with rebels waging a bloody battle, the government has given a very bad message ("Will Talks Restore Peace?" SPOTLIGHT, August 17). This could lead to other groups raising arms in the future, as they would see the opportunity of threatening the state into recognizing them as a political force and granting concessions. Even if the government had to hold talks, it should have done so at an opportune time, particularly when it had the upper hand. Fresh from one victory after the other over the beleaguered police, the Maoists are in a strong position to bring the government down to its knees.

Kalyan Shrestha
Chabahil

Uneasy Peace

Following the cease-fire between the government and the Maoists, an uneasy peace has prevailed in the country ("Will Talks Restore Peace?" SPOTLIGHT, August 17). Regardless of whether the proposed talks would succeed in bringing a lasting solution to the conflict, it has definitely stopped the gunbattles raging for so long in remote parts of Nepal. This peace should not be disturbed. The armed wing of the rebels seems to have become restless in the new situation. On the top of the agenda of the proposed talks should be the issue of disarming the rebels.

Binaya Dahal
Chandol

Will They Come Out?

The talk about the talks is really gaining momentum ("Will Talks Restore Peace?", SPOTLIGHT, August 17). Given their latest behavior, the rebels may want to come out into the open. Six years after going underground and launching the "people’s war", the Maoists may be experiencing what is called battle fatigue. Indeed, there could not be a more appropriate time for them to come out of their jungle shelters. They are in a position to make big gains in the ballot boxes.

Jit Kumar Subedi
Naikap

Give RNAC Autonomy

It is high time that politicians and bureaucrats stopped playing dirty political and administrative tricks with the national flag carrier ("How Far Justified?" SPOTLIGHT, August 10). They must give autonomy to the airlines in the real sense of the word. The management of RNAC must be given a free hand in buying/selling or leasing aircraft remaining within the set norms of the business. This is the only way that can help the debilitating airlines regain its old glory and fly forward.

Kirti Joshi
Sanepa

US Support

The support expressed by the visiting US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Christina Rocca to Nepal’s multiparty democracy and constitution at a time when there are frantic efforts from various quarters to amend the basic law is meaningful ("Supe