MANAGUA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Nicaragua's government and the opposition Civic Alliance for Justice and Democracy (ACJD) started a new round of dialogue on Wednesday here to resolve the country's political crisis.
At the Central American Business Management Institute (INCAE) in Managua, ACJD spokesman Carlos Tunnermann said that before debating the issues, the two negotiating teams had to outline an initial agenda and mechanism for the talks.
On arriving at the venue for talks, the government delegation gave no statements to the press. Shortly after the talks began, however, President Daniel Ortega held out an olive branch by allowing at least 100 protesters arrested during the demonstrations to serve out their sentences under house arrest.
ACJD representative Valeska Valle said he welcomed the gesture, but it was not enough. He called on the government to release all political prisoners, the number of which is about 700.
Ortega's government faced violent protests in April after proposing unpopular social security reforms. While the reforms were scrapped after the protests broke out, public anger still led to weeks of demonstrations.
Nearly 200 people were killed in related riot and clashes, according to official figures. The two sides held two rounds of negotiations in May and June, respectively, but failed to reach any agreements.
