Significant developments in Nepal

After days of protests in Nepal, some news of potentially significant change in Nepal.

An ashen King Gyanendra went on television late this evening to concede to the demands of the angry pro-democracy demonstrations roiling his country and turn over the government to the elected parliament that was dissolved four years ago.

His offer came on the eve of what were billed to be the largest demonstrations to date calling for the restoration of democracy. The political parties who launched the pro-democracy protests 19 days ago had been preparing to encircle the city center Tuesday. Instead, celebrations broke out late tonight on the streets of Katmandu.
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He did not, however, explicitly address the demand for a referendum to redraw the Nepali constitution and let the Nepali people decide on the future of the monarchy once and for all. The vote on the constitution is the principal demand of the Maoist rebels who have fought a brusing 10-year-long insurgency and have lately linked arms with Nepal's political leaders to defeat the monarchy.

While a return to democracy in Nepal would be welcome, it would not resolve the problem of the bloody Maoist insurgency. Their goal is to install a Maoist government.

Dozens have been killed in recent weeks and months as the Maoists fought against the monarchy. It's hard to believe the Maoists would put aside their violent ways in their continued quest to form the government in their image.