Kathmandu: Maoist rebels in Nepal have rejected the Jan 13 deadline set by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba for holding peace talks even as the Government expressed the hope that the rebels would gradually adopt a flexible policy towards dialogue.

The deadline set by the Government was "abstract and full of threats," Maoist leader 'Prachanda' said in a statement yesterday (Nov 27, 2004).

Deuba had set the January 13 as the deadline for Maoists for coming to the negotiation table, saying the Government would go for general election if the rebels do not come for dialogue within the stipulated time frame.

The Government's talks offer "has further derailed" the peace process, Prachanda said, alleging that it "will only give continuity to feudal regression, unbridled militarisation and the terrorist black ordinance (Prevention of Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Ordinance) and would serve the regressive forces to consolidate their hold on power."

However, he said they would agree for the talks "under reliable international mediation", hinting at UN, and called for "defeating foreign reactionaries" and ending the process of "growing militarisation and civil war in the country."

He also stated rebels' earlier key demand for holding the election to constituent Assembly to draft a new constitution.

Reacting to Prachanda's statement, Mohammad Mohsin, Minister for Information and Communication and a member of the High-level Peace Committee, said though the rebels have reacted strongly, but they would gradually adopt a flexible policy as there is no other option than talks to resolve the present crisis.