Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

"The Maoists have talked frequently about talks, but they always have betrayed us and exploited the situation to build an environment favorable to themselves. If they are trying to do the same this time, too, that would be very unfortunate for them."

Madhav Kumar Nepal, leader of the opposition, reacting to recent reports that the Maoists had written letters to leaders of political parties asking them to initiate peace talks, in Space-Time daily.

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"Adept in staging dramas, the Maoists stand on two pillars: confusion and fear."

Ram Chandra Poudel, former deputy prime minister and senior Nepali Congress leader, ridiculing the Maoist truce offer that was subsequently disowned by the rebels, in Deshantar.

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"The issue of extending the emergency and convening parliament has come suddenly. We were not consulted."

Subash Nemwang, former minister and senior leader of the main opposition Unified-Marxist Leninist, expressing displeasure over the governmentís decision, in Kantipur.

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"The next few months of army deployment would render the final blow to the Maoists."

Jaya Prakash Prasad Gupta, Minister for Information and Communication and spokesperson of the government, saying the extension of emergency was vital to controlling terrorism, in The Kathmandu Post.

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"The present problems of the county are the result of inefficient political leadership."

Taranath Ranabhat, Speaker of the House of Representatives, speaking at a public program.

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"If they (Maoists) do not come for dialogue by laying down their arms now, they will be wiped out before the next dry season."

Khadga Prasad Oli, deputy leader of the main opposition Unified Marxist-Leninist, claiming that the Maoists only had this monsoon to live, in Gorkhapatra.

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"Retired soldiers have the duty to guide those who have taken to the path of terrorism and to bring them on the right course."

S. Padmanabhan, chief of Indian army staff, addressing retired soldiers of the Indian army in Pokhara, in Himalaya Times.

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"We told both countries that our main problem is mobility. We are facing difficulties in mobilizing security forces to places they are needed immediately. Both countries have assured of help in this regard."

Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat, adviser to Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, when asked what security demands Nepal made during the premierís meetings with the leaders of the United States and Britain, in Bimarsha.

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