Minister for Physical Planning and government coordinator for peace talks with Maoists said he found

rebels satisfied with government preparations for negotiations in his secret parleys with the insurgents at an undisclosed place.

“I’m now in touch with high ranking Maoist leaders and they have said they are satisfied with what we have done so far,” Col. Pun told Space Time Today in its Wednesday editions. Col. Pun did not identify his latest rebel contact but earlier said he helped broker a peace last week while talking with Sagar Chetri through two felicitators.

Government will appoint its negotiating team with the rebels in one week; Maoists have announced

a five-member team headed by Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, the No.2 in the rebel outfit. Col. Pun said government is preparing a list of detained rebels but did not say if or when they will be released.

France Wednesday welcomed a cease-fire between the government and rebels to begin peace

talks, an official announcement said. Col. Pun earlier said he will try to maintain maximum secrecy during negotiations.