NEPAL: "Today is the beginning of a new history. The doors of peace have been opened and Nepal has entered a new era," said the prime minister of Nepal, Girija Prasad Koirala, last night following the signing of a historic peace agreement that brings an end to 10 years of bloody conflict which cost 15,000 lives.
The Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) will establish an all-party interim government that will pave the way for democratic elections to be held next June. The interim government will draft a new constitution which, it is agreed, will strip the 240-year-old monarchy of its political role and the king of his property.
The agreement will also see Maoist arms put under comprehensive UN supervision, although the Maoists will keep the keys to depots storing these arms.
The agreement was signed by Mr Koirala and Maoist chairman Prachanda, who waged a successful guerilla war against the monarchy and controls much of the country outside of the capital, in front an audience of political leaders, the cabinet, foreign ambassadors, dignitaries and members of the international press.
"The comprehensive peace accord reached with the Maoists has ended the politics of violence and terror and has started the process of reconciliation," Mr Koirala said last night.
"The signing of the historic accord represents the breaking of the cycle of a decade-long armed conflict," said Prachanda. "It is also a day of victory for the Nepalese who have dreamt of creating a new Nepal and a defeat for the entire forces and principles of regression who wanted Nepal to continue in its state of backwardness," he added.
Under the agreement, the Maoist rebels will take 73 seats in a new 330-seat parliament to be formed before the end of the month. In return, they will place their guerilla army and weapons under a UN monitoring scheme being led by Ian Martin, the personal representative of UN secretary general Kofi Annan.
The signing ceremony in the capital last night was attended by all the political parties in Nepal except representatives of King Gyanendra, who has not played a public role since he recalled parliament - effectively ending direct rule - following widespread demonstrations in April.
The king now faces an uncertain future. Not only has he been stripped of political power but, earlier this week, an official panel called for him to be punished for ordering a deadly crackdown by security forces during April's protests.
Not all the parties agree, however, and many in the country view the king as a Hindu deity, who should at least maintain a ceremonial role. Such an outcome would not be acceptable to the Maoists who have said they will stay out of any new government if the king retains a ceremonial position in the new constitution. A referendum may be held to decide the issue next year.
After the signing last night, the softly spoken prime minister said that Nepal has set an example in ending the bloody conflict though dialogue.
"Many of my friends used to say that terrorists shouldn't be trusted. But I used to say to my friends that I, being a democrat, have a responsibility to bring the non-democrats to the democratic framework. If the democratic forces fail to do so, democracy loses its significance," said Mr Koirala.
"Today we have set an example for the world. Nepal and Nepalese have given a message to the international community and the Maoists . . . terrorists across the globe that a solution can be found through dialogue rather than through bullets," he added.