General Secretary of the CPN-UML Madhav Kumar Nepal has said that suspicions in the minds of Maoist leaders are hindering the next round of talks between the government and the Maoists.

Inaugurating a training organised at the party office for party cadres under the People’s Awareness Programme for Democratic Republic, MK Nepal said that Maoists should not hinder the ongoing peace process by putting forward new terms and conditions before forming an interim government and going for constituent assembly polls.

“The issue of talks is urgent and complicated. Formal and informal meetings should be held frequently to clear misunderstanding and drive the country towards peace,” Nepal added.

He said the party has recently decided to go for a federal structure with the right to self-determination.

Nepal said that some suspicions in the minds of Maoist leaders are hindering the talks process, adding that it is also the duty of the seven-party alliance to correct the misunderstanding and accelerate the peace process.

According to him, along with the issues of the constituent assembly election, one should start discussions on other vital issues like interim parliament, distribution of citizenship cards, updating of voters’ list and forming of interim government.

Regarding the recent statements of Maoist leadership refusing to send their People’s Liberation Army into cantonments and launch city-centered movement, Nepal said, “It has raised serious concern about the future of the peace process.”

He also urged the government to appoint election commissioners immediately and delegate authority to carry out necessary preparations so that the nation could hold the elections of the constituent assembly before mid-May 2007.