Quote Unquote (Spotlight Weekly)

"Political leaders are just eyeing power and position. When I seek their help to advance the peace process, they seek position. They will not say anything without position."

Prime Minister Lokendra Bahadur Chand, in Gorkhapatra.

* * *

"The Maoists' demand for an interim government is their ploy to come to power."

K. P. Sharma Oli, UML leader, in Space-Time daily.

* * *

"If the Maoists are really struggling for the sake of people, they will not put round-table conference and interim government on the agenda of the talks."

Narayan Singh Pun, Minister for Works and Physical Planning and convener of government negotiating team, at a public program.

* * *

"On one hand, extreme rightists are demanding an active monarchy while on the other extreme leftists are demanding a republic. The democratic forces are in the middle. Whom will the King choose? We want an answer."

Girija Prasad Koirala, former prime minister and president of the Nepali Congress, addressing a mass meeting in Ilam.

* * *

"We are ready to drop our demand for the constituent assembly if all the parties, including the King, build a consensus."

Dev Gurung, politburo member of the Maoists, at a press conference in Pokhara, in The Kathmandu Post.

* * *

"The Maoists who used women in their fight should not forget to include them at the talks."

Bhadra Kumari Ghale, member of Raj Parishad Standing Committee, in Space-Time daily.

* * *

"The good neighborly relations existing between world power China and Nepal are an example for other powerful and small countries."

Ramesh Nath Pandey, Minister for Information and Communication, speaking at a program organized by China Radio International in the capital.

* * *

"Imagine the life of a widow like me. I hope no other woman will have to go through my experience. The government-Maoist talks must be successful."

Dhana Kumari G.C., widow of slain police officer Hum Bahadur G.C., who lost his life in an attack by the Maoists in Satbariya, Dang last year, in Himalaya Times.

* * *