Chief Maoist negotiator Dr. Baburam Bhattarai Monday scaled down rebel demands for beginning the delayed goodwill talks between with the government to end a seven-year communist insurgency.

The insurgents are now ready to begin talks if the government releases five senior central committee members, Dr. Bhattarai told daily newspaper “Annapurna Post” in an exclusive interview Monday; the rebels earlier also demanded withdrawal of criminal cases against senior rebels including Dr. Bhattarai as a pre-condition for beginning peace negotiations.

“The talks will begin even if the government releases five central committee members currently under detention,” Dr. Bhattarai said. He accused the government for the delay in launching the talks.

But Government negotiator Col. Narayan Singh Pun said the government was not ready to meet a rebel demand for the release of all rebel prisoners at a public meeting in Damauli in Tanahau Sunday. nepalnews.com br April 7