Kathmandu: Maoist rebels have said they would not accept Indian mediation for initiating fresh dialogue with the Nepalese Government to find peaceful solution to the eight-year old insurgency in the Himalayan kingdom.

"We cannot accept mediation of India to start fresh negotiations with the Government," Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) politburo member, Dev Gurung, said addressing a meeting secretly organised by the rebels inside a school ground in Tanhu district yesterday (Apr 10, 2004), reported 'Rajdhani', a Nepali language daily.

His remarks came at a time when Nepal Government has rejected the UN mediation to bring the rebels to the negotiating table. Home Minister Kamal Thapa appreciated UN Secretary General Kofi Annan for expressing concern over Maoist problem but rejected the possibility of any UN mediation in this regard.

Gurung also rejected the possibility of holding fresh talks with the present Surya Bahadur Thapa Government.

He said his party sticks to the three-point demand for holding dialogue -- a round table conference, interim government and constituent assembly.