New Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala

In a motion passed the same day, the legislators also called for negotiations with the Maoists, who played a key role in protests that forced King Gyanendra to give up power April 25 and who appear to be headed for a role in the political mainstream.

A new constitution was the Maoists' key demand and the passage of the motion was expected to help appease them.

The new government of Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, who was sworn in earlier in the day, must spell out the dates and other details of the talks, and the constitutional assembly.

The ailing 84-year-old briefly addressed Parliament -- which opened its first session in four years April 29 -- calling on the communist insurgents to come out of the political cold, as he began the challenge of keeping his alliance together and steering the troubled Himalayan country toward peace and democracy.

The Japan Times Weekly: May 6, 2006
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