Finally, it seems as if you are getting it right. 'Moving the peace forward' and 'We have a deal' (#322) rightly point out how careful we must be to stay one step ahead of the stumbling blocks that will be in our way. No one wants to be cynical, least of all someone like me who has had a lucky life in Kathmandu. But haven't we been talking in abstracts too long? 'Peace' and 'reintegration' and all are fine and important, as long as we also understand that realpolitik can make people do unpleasant and even treacherous things. We can have peace at a price, but not at any cost-that kind won't last.

RB Shrestha,
Sitapaila

. Why must you people always be so dark and pessimistic? You claim that 'we have a deal', but your analysis kills any euphoria. We're still in the honeymoon period-too early to start complaining about who does the dishes.

Kalpana Bhattarai,
email

.Naresh Newar seems confused ('We have a deal', #322). Here's a clarification: he was writing about a historic agreement, not preparing a UN project proposal.

Rakuba,
email