"PEACE IN OUR TIME". It might be a big step for democracy in Nepal. Lets see if it sticks.

photo of Dan Mazur and Krzysztof Wielicki on the summit of Island Peak.

Hello EverestNews.com: I hope you all are well. Today is a sunny, lucky, and peaceful day in warm, dry, and quiet Kathmandu, as the 7 Nepalese political parties have agreed to let the formerly dreaded "Maoists" join the election process, with elections to be held in April. In return, the "Maoists" have agreed to keep their weapons locked up in a secure facility guarded by UN troops. The Nepalese army has agreed to lock up the same number of their own weapons, also guarded by UN troops. Today you could see the smiles of hope on local people's faces as everyone came out on the street and walked around with their families and children. They huddled in small groups to read the newspaper, which carried the oversized headline: "PEACE IN OUR TIME". It might be a big step for democracy in Nepal. Let's see if it sticks.

Thanks for all of your hard work at EverestNews.com.

Yours Sincerely, Dan Mazur

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