Kathmandu: Nepal's government and Maoists are likely to resume the third round of peace talks this week, even as the political agenda paper to be presented at the parleys was being readied as per the demand made by the rebels.

"The government was preparing an agenda for the talks, which would be ready by Thursday (August 7) and the talks could resume Friday (August 8)," a government-appointed intermediary said.

"We have been attempting to get government's response to fix the date for the fresh talks as per the responsibility shouldered by the Maoist top leaders," facilitator Shailendra Kumar Upadhyaya told reporters on August 2.

He said the talks would mark a dramatic turnaround within a week. The Maoists had threatened to walk out of the peace process if the Nepalese government did not meet a series of demands by July 31.

The participation of the political parties would be crucial for the success of the peace talks, Upadhyaya said.

He urged the political parties to fulfil their responsibilities by facilitating the talks to restore permanent peace in the country.

Upadhyaya, however, admitted that the third round of talks would take place even if the political parties did not join the talks.

The Maoist top leader Prachanda had in a statement on July 31 laid a pre-condition that the government should ensure the participation of the five agitating parties in the third round of talks.

However, political parties including Nepali Congress and Nepal Communist Party (UML) have rejected the idea and said they would not take part in the tripartite talks until and unless an all-party government is formed.

Meanwhile, the government is working on the political agenda paper to be presented during the next round of talks as per the demand made by the Maoists.

"We are preparing the political paper that will be presented during the third round of talks," Minister for Information and Communication and the government's spokesman said.

The government and the Maoists held two rounds of talks in which they mainly discussed the procedural matters. During the third round of talks the major issues raised by the maoists, including the political agenda of both the sides are expected to come up.

The Maoists, whose seven-year insurgency to topple the constitutional monarchy has left more than 7,800 dead, have been observing a ceasefire with the government since January 29, 2003.

PTI