CHRONOLOGY-Key dates of Nepal's road to peace
Source: Reuters
April 1 (Reuters) - Nepal's former Maoist guerrillas joined an interim government on Sunday, officials said, a move that takes them into the political mainstream as part of a peace deal that ended a decade-old revolt. Here is a chronology of peace moves with the Maoists: 1994 - The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) is founded by Pushpa Kamal Dahal, widely-known as Prachanda, after a split with its parent communist party. 1996 - Maoists, who oppose the Himalayan country's constitutional monarchy, launch people's war. April 1998 - Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala calls for talks but Maoists turn down offer. Feb 2000 - Prachanda asks the government to release arrested rebels in response to an appeal by the chief of a government-appointed panel to initiate peace dialogue. March 2001 - Maoist rebels reject call for talks, saying the government must free jailed guerrillas. Army called to quell revolt. Sept 2005 - Maoist rebels announce unilateral ceasefire but royalist government rejects it. Nov 2005 - Maoists enter into a loose alliance with the seven main political parties to try and end the king's rule. Jan 2006 - Rebels end ceasefire. April 27, 2006 - Maoists declare a three-month ceasefire and political parties promise to work with them as King Gyanendra is forced to reinstate parliament and give up absolute power after widespread protests. April 30 - Koirala, sworn in as prime minister, invites rebels for talks. June 16 - Prachanda holds talks with Koirala, their first high-level meeting since the revolt started 10 years ago. June 19 - Nepal's new government reaches broad agreement with Maoists to dissolve parliament and set up an interim administration that would include the rebels. July 4 - Nepal invites the United Nations to monitor weapons held by Maoist rebels and government troops. Nov 8 - Prime Minister Koirala and rebel chief Prachanda sign a deal on supervision of rebel arms. Nov 20 - Government and Maoist rebels sign landmark peace accord marking end of the civil war. Dec 16 - Nepal's seven ruling parties and former rebels approve draft of an interim constitution. Jan 15, 2007 - Parliament adopts constitution, Maoists agree to take 83 seats in the 330-member interim legislature that will be in place until constituent assembly elections expected in June. April 1 - Former Maoist guerrillas join an interim government, a move that takes them into the political mainstream. Source: Reuters
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