“Peace At Last,” read the giant headlines in today’s newspapers in Nepal. Last night, after fourteen hours of uninterrupted negotiations, the government and Maoist guerrillas reached an agreement to end ten years of civil war; a bloodbath that has cost thee lives of more than thirteen thousand people.

Contents of the Treaty. The peace agreement, to be signed on November 16, calls for all Maoist guerrillas to report by November 21 to one of seven encampments (in the districts of Ilam, Sindhuli, Kavre, Palpa, Rolpa, Surkhet, and Kailali). The rebels will turn over all weaponry to United Nations soldiers, who will deposit them into three secure warehouses. Government soldiers will hand over their weapons as well.
On a political level, the Maoists will shut down all the parallel government structures they established in the zones under their control, while Parliament will be expanded to admit 73 Maoist representatives (two less than the governing party). By December 1, a transition government will be formed including Maoists, and by June 2007 elections will be held to choose a constituent assembly to vote on the future of the Nepalese monarchy. A simple majority will determine the outcome.

An Accord that will stand. For government negotiator Ram Chandra Poudel, the decision, “opens the door to the creation of a new Nepal.” Opposition leader Annata declares, “The treaty ushers the Nation into a new era.” Today’s treaty is the third peace agreement. The first two, signed in 2001 and 2003, failed and were followed by renewed violence. According to analysis and comment in local newspapers and the international press, today’s treaty is destined to last, because it calls for a multi-party government that will significantly reduce the powers of King Gyanendra, who the rebels consider to be largely responsible for the conflict. Celebrations broke out in Katmandu but there was also condemnation of the rebels, who are accused of having visited many houses to “request” that residents of the capital give food to the “comrades” who will arrive in the city on Friday for a demonstration celebrating the peace.