LASTING PEACE ACCORD SIGNED IN NEPAL

4. Peace Deal Ends Nepal's Civil War

news.bbc.co.uk

KATHMANDU, NEPAL, November 21, 2006 (HPI note: This accord between the communist rebels and the government of Nepal is historic. The consequences for religion in Nepal have yet to unfold.):

The government of Nepal and Maoist guerrillas have signed a historic peace accord, declaring a formal end to a 10-year rebel insurgency. Under the deal, the rebels will join a transitional government and their weapons will be under UN monitoring. Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala and Maoist rebel leader Prachanda signed the deal in Kathmandu. "This ends the more than one decade of civil war in the country," Prachanda said after the deal was signed. The country's multi-party government and the Maoist rebels have been observing a ceasefire for more than six months since they coordinated mass protests that forced King Gyanendra to restore parliament and end direct rule.

"This moment marks the end of the 238-year-old feudal system," 52-year-old Prach anda declared. "Our party will work with new responsibility and new vigor to make a new Nepal." Mr. Koirala was equally ecstatic. "The agreement has ended the politics of killings, violence and terror and started the politics of cooperation," he said. "I would like to thank Prachanda as well for finding a peaceful solution. Nepal has entered into a new era and it has opened the door for peace. "Now we need to meet together in cooperation and understanding to make sure this agreement is fully implemented," the 85-year-old PM said.