Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

“What do they gain by killing simple farmer or an ordinary teacher. Had they been real Maoists, they could have killed people like myself.’

Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and president of ruling Nepali Congress party, addressing a party program in Bhairahawa.

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“The government, which has been betrayed once, will not sit for dialogue just on the basis of some press statement.”

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, Finance Minister, asked to comment on the Maoists' reported call for dialogue, in Bimarsha.

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“It is unfortunate that the government does not want to sit down for dialogue at a time when there is a national consensus in favor of a political solution to the Maoist problem.”

Khadga Prasad Oli, senior leader of Unified Marxist-Leninist, speaking after an all-party meeting, in Spacetime daily.

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"I don't think there is a fundamental difference of opinion between the party and the government."

Chakra Prasad Bastola, former foreign minister and senior Nepali Congress leader, commenting on the possibility of negotiations with the Maoists, in Deshantar.

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"The military battalion of Maoist rebels in the mid-west has been destroyed by the security operation. This is a big achievement."

Ram Chandra Poudel, former deputy prime minister, who visited the mid-western region recently as a member of a team of parliamentarians, in Spacetime daily.

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"The prime minister's visit to the United States at a time when the country is in an extremely difficult situation is not proper. He did not need to visit America."

Narayan Man Bijukchhe, president of Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, a radical leftist outfit, in Jana Bhawana.

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"In order to conceal its weaknesses, the government is slashing the development budget in the name of security."

Dilli Raj Khanal, UML MP, at a program of lawmakers to discuss the forthcoming budget, in Gorkhapatra.

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"A husband will now have to submit a written application to have sex with his wife."

Shree Ram Singh Basnet, senior journalist, responding to the recent Supreme Court decision recognizing rape within marriage, in The Kathmandu Post.

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"Yes, we are in regular touch with responsible Maoist leaders."

Sudip Pathak, chairman of Human Rights Organization of Nepal, who has been calling for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the rebels, in Jana Bhawana.