Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

"I am not in favor of extending the state of emergency."

Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and Nepali Congress president, responding to hints by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba that the government wanted to extend the emergency.

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"I think it is important to create a conducive atmosphere so that dialogue can take place."

Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the opposition, on the prospects of Nepal-Bhutan discussions on resolving the refugee impasse.

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"The government offered bounties on the heads of Maoist leaders with the objective of getting the people's help in nabbing them."

Chiranjibi Wagle, Minister for Works and Physical Planning, in Kantipur.

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"The government's decision (to put bounties on Maoist heads) is totally against constitutional provisions and human rights values."

Amrit Kumar Bohara, senior leader of Unified Marxist-Leninist, in Himalaya Times.

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"Unless and until they [the Maoists] lay down their arms, dialogue would not be possible."

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister, speaking at the Reporters' Club.

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"The security forces are on maximum alert as they [Maoists] may now indulge in more heinous crimes, since they are frustrated by the failure of their bandh call."

Devendra Raj Kandel, Minister of State for Home, in Spacetime daily.

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"Since they [Maoists] ran away from the negotiations, it is their responsibility to take the initiative for dialogue."

Sudip Pathak, president of Human Rights Organization of Nepal, speaking at the Reporters' Club.

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"I have committed mistakes and looted my motherland. I want the authorities to arrest and punish me."

Hari Prasad Pandey, former minister of state for water resources, making the surprising revelation of his corrupt deeds before a gathering of media persons in Pokhara.