Nepal King ready for talks with parties

For the first time, since the February 1 royal coup, King Gyanendra conceded he is open for dialogue.

Admitting that the gap between him and Nepal's political parties has "widened", King Gyanendra has said he is open for dialogue with the parties provided they make their stand clear on certain issues, including terrorism.

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"I have never said that I will never meet them, but there has to be some basis for it," the King said in an interview to the official media.

"The political parties must possess crystal-clear views on four issues- terrorism, good governance and corruption, politicisation in bureaucracy and financial discipline - for talks," he said, adding "if they make clear views on these issues, then there will be room for dialogue".

Conceding that the gap between him and political parties has "widened", he said "there have been squabbles between the political parties and the King as between husband and wife, which is natural when we are too close".

This is the first time since the February 1 royal takeover that the King conceded there are differences between him and the parties and that he is open for dialogue.

The King also accused the political parties of getting close to the Maoists. "The political parties' talks about co-work or holding dialogue with the terrorists, they should be clear on such matters," he said, adding "the people want peace, they are plagued by terror."